Lakefront project to begin this spring

URBANA--Urbana town officials and staff at Saratoga Associates are currently in the beginning stages of a project at the south end of Keuka Lake to modernize and improve access to the park areas along the lake. This involves securing funding to address the old tour boat pier and beginning this spring on a new boardwalk bridge designed to connect Hammondsport with local natural areas.
"The future of the old dock is still unknown... options include removal of the existing dock and putting in a new one with new amenities, and maybe even relocating it a little (north) from where it is now," said Daniel Shearer of Saratoga Associates, who has been contracted by the town regarding both projects. "Also the potential hasn't been dismissed of refurbishing the existing dock, there are lots of options out there."
Regardless of the options, cost and the ability to apply for grant funding could help shape the project.
"Whatever occurs has to be cost-effective and we need a constructor on board who can do it for a reasonable cost," Shearer said.
Along with the questions of what to do with the current dock, there is also the unknown of where the funding for the project will come from.
"It has the potential for grant funding...and Empire State Development has approached (the town) and said they are willing to contribute up to 20 percent of the final cost once the project is completed," Shearer added. "But that amount is still (unknown) and could change... and there are a lot of other funding options on the street through stimulus and infrastructure where the town may be eligible for additional moneys, so the town is trying to keep its options open."
If everything goes perfectly, and Shearer acknowledged that can be a challenge in the construction world, he said it could be possible to see work begin on either replacing or refurbishing the old dock this fall.
"But there are a lot of variables we don't have pinned down," Shearer stated.
The bridge boardwalk project however is scheduled to begin construction this spring with roughly $683,000 of the project coming from the state. Shearer said with the state paying for 75 percent of the project, the remaining 25 percent would come from Urbana either through cash from the town, cash from private donations, or labor costs.
"It should be completed no later than Labor Day," Shearer said.