'Like the surface of the moon': Crews begin Riverside Boat Launch reconstruction
Crews began tearing up Port Huron's Riverside Boat Launch last week, kicking off $700,000 worth of improvements of the lot and adjacent facilities along the Black River.
Pavement for the parking lot and launch was previously worn and full of cracks — an area that, City Manager James Freed said "was literally like the surface of the moon" — and the bulk of the work this fall will include reconstructing the area.
According to a map of the construction plans, there will be roughly 50 spaces in the boat launch lot, which Freed said he believed is consistent with what was their prior. One part of the project, however, he said would have to wait until 2020.
"The scope of work also includes bathroom upgrades. (We are) looking at whether to reconstruct or put prefab bathrooms there," Freed said. "That's what we're looking at right now. That'll be done in spring, so we have some time."
The city is getting a boost for the work from a $300,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant. Another roughly $400,000 is coming from the city's general fund.
City Council OK'd bid for just the parking lot rehabilitation last June at just over $430,000.
A 'well-used' boat launch
Freed said the lot construction part of the project — done now, during a slower boating season — should wrap up by November. Although the city's had funding lined up, the city manager said they didn't want to do it during "peak fishing seasons." He called boating and fishing a "keynote economic driver for the city."
"It's very well-used," he said of the boat launch. "In fact, it's so well-used that a lot of times, there's boats and trailers along the road. You've got to get there early when they fish."
Resident Zach Zerrer lives nearby the launch and rode his bike by Monday to check on the construction. He said he has used the launch before.
"This lot was a mess — like bumps," he said. "It definitely needed it. For as many boaters as we have in this area, it's good to have it cleaned up because it was pretty bad."
Like Freed, Zerrer said it can be a popular launch, "especially in the summer."
"You'll get people parking on the side that's not for parking," he said. "It gets filled up quite a bit."
While the city has yet to secure funding for other improvements at the property, namely a kayak and canoe launch, Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Winzer said they haven't given up yet.
"It's still a thought. It's still something we're seeking funds for," Winzer said. "Obviously, the county has done launches all over. We're just looking for some extra money to go along with that."
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmih@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.