The Gallipolis riverfront’s Public Use Area is arguably one of the most well-known aspects of the settlement along with Gallipolis City Park. The waterfront area has played host to a variety of events around the year and is commonly a central site of activity during the Independence Day and River Recreation Festival celebrations.
GALLIPOLIS — An expected renovation project to the Gallipolis Public Use Area has seen some amendments and modifications with grants approved to help fund the project.
City officials intended to build an amphitheater on the northeast side of the PUA after having been awarded $98,500 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. According to City Manager Gene Greene, the current deadline for the project is June 30, 2016. The previous deadline to complete the amphitheater, dubbed phase one, was October 2015. Advertisements for contractor bids were placed throughout June, but no takers approached to submit applications for the project. E.L. Robinson, an engineering firm from Portsmouth, is currently reviewing costs of the project.
Phase two of the Gallipolis Riverfront Project has an estimated completion of Dec. 1, 2016. ODNR once again gave Gallipolis a 2015 cooperative boating facility grant in the amount of nearly $1 million. Both E.L. Robinson and Gallipolis city officials approached ODNR to see if the grants could be combined. According to Greene, ODNR is allowing the combination of the grant funds. The engineering firm, in turn, will also be combining phases one and two.
Project design is currently taking place until Feb. 29, 2016. The bidding and contract process is expected to take place between March 1, 2016 until May 9, 2016. Construction should take place between May 10, 2016 until Nov. 29, 2016. The ODNR grants close out between Nov. 30, 2016, and Jan. 3, 2017.
Phase three of the riverfront project is being put on hold. Gallipolis needs to come up with a 25 percent match as it seeks further grant funding to install a new boat mooring and transient dock for river vessels. According to information gathered from the city office, the cost is estimated near $269,000. One vessel mooring is approximately $534,000. The boat dock is expected to be nearly $230,000. With the costs of surveying, engineering, inspection and money for contingencies, the entirety of phase three is expected be a little more than $1 million.
Gallipolis was awarded another $20,000 from NatureWorks for an electrical upgrade in Gallipolis City Park which has been praised by city officials and residents in helping functions like Relay For Life and River Recreation Festival celebrations. City workers installed six underground junction boxes and power distribution boxes last May.
A public meeting will be Aug. 18 to discuss matters relating to the riverfront project with city officials. For further information, contact the Gallipolis City Municipal Building at (740) 446-1789.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2015/07/web1_DSCN2765.jpgThe Gallipolis riverfront’s Public Use Area is arguably one of the most well-known aspects of the settlement along with Gallipolis City Park. The waterfront area has played host to a variety of events around the year and is commonly a central site of activity during the Independence Day and River Recreation Festival celebrations.