Belpre seeks money for riverfront park

By JOLENE CRAIG
BELPRE — Larger boat docks, a walking path and amphitheater were discussed Monday as part of a riverfront park project with representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The project will encompass about 1,100 feet of land on the river side of Civitan Park, said Dale Myers, city safety-service director.

Sherry Adams, project manager with the Army Corps of Engineers in Huntington, said project amenities will include an excursion boat dock large enough to accommodate deep draft vessels, such as the American Queen; removable boat docks that float and include a gangway and retaining structure; multi-function riverfront access service with a shore-type landing for smaller water craft to allow the use of canoes and wind surfers, and a 2,500-seat amphitheater for cultural events.

Myers said the project gives Belpre more river access and the opportunity to grow in the area.

“With Blennerhassett Island as the backdrop, it will give opportunities to a lot of events,” Myers said.

Adams said the project is at the end of the feasibility stage and will soon be moving into the preconstruction, engineering and design phase.

“We need to finalize the feasibility report and begin the PED phase in the next few months,” she said.

The cost for the PED phase will be a 25 percent match of the federal 75 percent, which equals roughly $200,000. The entire cost of the project for the city will be around $3 million, said Beth Cade, lead planner.

Terry Tamburini, development director for Washington County, said the county and city have begun the grant process to acquire some of the funds.

“The way (funding) has gone so far, I don’t expect any problems,” Tamburini said.

The project has been in the works since the Corps of Engineers began the reconnaissance study in the 1980s, Cade said.

Tamburini said Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland began working on the project when he was a U.S. representative for this area of the state.

“It is only fortuitous that the man who started this with Belpre is now the governor,” he said.

The Belpre Riverfront Park will be different from the upcoming Parkersburg Riverfront Park but with similarities, Cade said.

“There are similar features — the Parkersburg amphitheater is much larger — but there are different things the communities have to offer,” Cade said. “Belpre is a much smaller park, which makes it cozy.”

The Belpre park has other activities with the swimming pool, basketball court and baseball field close, where Parkersburg has only the park.

“They, in my mind, are complementary and not in competition,” said Councilman Susan Abdella.

Construction on the park is expected to begin in 2010 and will last 18 to 24 months.