City staff seeks $1 million ARC grant for boat-launch; planning ahead for riverfront master plan
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Summary
City staff told council they will apply to the Appalachian Regional Commission for $1 million toward the boat-launch; design files are being finalized for permitting and a master-plan process is next for other riverfront areas.
City staff updated the Warren City Council on riverfront development progress and said a $1,000,000 grant application to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) would be submitted this week to help fund the proposed boat-launch project.
Chad Jurisic, speaking for city staff, said the city is on the “third hurdle” in the funding process for the launch and that JPI is completing a final review of plans and specifications to submit to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission within the next six weeks. The work on the launch is tied to federal and state grant timetables and to permitting steps that must be completed before bidding and construction.
Jurisic said the intent remains to bid and start construction in 2026 if funding and permits align. He explained the next step for the broader riverfront is a professional depiction of community ideas: the city plans to hire firms to translate public input into renderings for Areas 2–4 of the riverfront so potential funders and partners can see coherent options and make funding commitments.
Councilors asked about sequencing and whether the boat-launch funds were specifically tied to that element; Jurisic confirmed the current funding push is focused on the launch. He said the city will use master-plan renderings to help the public and potential funders visualize and decide on parts of the larger riverfront project.
No formal action was taken; the update was given as part of committee and project briefings.
