CEDAR RAPIDS -- A decision that could reinvent Cedar Rapids' riverfront could happen within the next week. Two design firms are competing for the job.

The companies have proposed everything from pedestrian bridges to riverfront restaurants.

Right now, the Cedar River dam is hidden under the highway. The Boston-based Sasaki firm suggests moving the dam to a place where everyone can see it.

"The possibilities of doing that I think would be extremely beneficial for Cedar Rapids,” Council member Justin Shields said.

A rival Minneapolis-based firm named "Close" says an iconic pedestrian bridge would bring both sides of the city together.

"It is absolutely a very exciting element,” council member Brian Fagan said.

The goal is to change the river from something that runs through Cedar Rapids into something at unites the city.

For example, riverfront restaurants could move into the now-empty Konstantino's and Muddy Waters buildings. The eateries could then add seating near the water.

But, both competing firms said it could take at least a decade to reinvent the area. Some council members said they're not willing to wait that long.

"When I hear the 10-15 year stuff, I don't like that. I think we should be able to do something within the next year or two,” Shields said.

Even though multiple different plans to reinvent the riverfront have drifted away over the years, council members promise that won't happen again.

"I think this community has lived or cycled too much in two-year cycles where decisions were made for elections that occurred every two years,” Fagan said.

Now, there's a new form of government and a new focus on the feature that's always flowed through this city.

Boston-based Sasaki has worked on riverfront projects in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C.

The Minneapolis-based "Close" firm has overseen developments in the Twin Cities, Dubuque and Omaha. Council members will likely choose between the two next week.