EAST LIVERPOOL Officials redesign plans for boat-launch project

This will mark the third time bids have been sought for the job.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST LIVERPOOL -- City officials are redesigning a public boat-launch improvement project to lower the undertaking's cost.
Officials made the decision recently after a bid for the project came in nearly 10 percent more than the nearly $380,000 budget for the effort, said Bill Cowan, city planner.
The most recent bid was the second sought for the undertaking, aimed at improving a launching facility along the Ohio River that is used by recreational boaters from throughout the region.
The first bid also came in too high.
The city is relying on an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant to pay for 75 percent of the job.
The rest will be paid by the city.
When the city seeks its third bid in the next few weeks, it will do so with revised plans intended to lower the project's expense, Cowan said.
Changes: One change will be the elimination of a metal wall that was to be built in the water about 12 feet from the river bank.
The wall was to have been about 133 feet long, and floating docks would have been attached to it. A sidewalk would have been installed atop fill put between the wall and the bank.
Instead of the wall, the plans now will call for construction of a concrete pier on the river bank.
Floating docks will be attached to the pier.
The original project called for three docks. Cowan said it's unclear right now how many will be specified in the revised plans.
Also dropped from the project is a plan to pave a parking lot adjacent to the launch area.
Officials still intend to widen the launching ramp from one lane to two.
The widening is a key feature of the undertaking, which is aimed largely at making it easier for recreational boaters to get their crafts into and out of the river, Cowan said.
On busy summer weekends, nearly 100 boats per day may be launched and recovered from the facility.
Officials originally had hoped to start the project in fall 2001.
Work is expected to begin this spring. It could be finished by early July, Cowan said.