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Port Richey CRA approves staff authority to pursue boat-ramp grant for Nick’s Park
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Summary
The Port Richey CRA voted to authorize its executive director to pursue and sign documents for a state Boating Improvement Program grant to refresh Nick’s Park, after staff described an estimated $1.8M design with permitting timelines tied to Army Corps review.
The Port Richey Community Redevelopment Agency on Wednesday authorized staff to pursue a state Boating Improvement Program grant for improvements at Nick’s Park, a step staff says will help move a conceptual park plan toward construction.
Derek, a city staff presenter, told the board the engineering firm Stantec estimated “the project, as you all wanted it, would be about $1,800,000,” and that a typical 10% contingency would place the total near $2,000,000. He added that Army Corps permitting for in-water work is likely to stretch the design and permitting phase, saying, “that’s gonna take you to about over 2028.”
Why it matters: The grant could fund a two-lane concrete boat ramp, docking improvements and related in-water elements that staff said match the board’s conceptual plan. But staff and board members warned that the project’s location and scope could lock the CRA into multi-million-dollar work in an area whose future redevelopment is still uncertain.
Board members pressed staff on whether the grant requires a local match and on what elements the grant will or will not cover. Derek said the FBIP application awards points for local match and for showing a clear plan, and that the grant typically covers in-water project elements; he noted the grant would not cover a picnic pavilion. As Derek explained, the grant “covers everything up in in the water, but not the pavilion.”
Members also asked whether alternate sites had been considered; staff said they had reviewed potential locations (including Ebb Tide and Ration Park) but found engineering and ownership limitations. The board discussed trade-offs between advancing a fundable plan now and waiting for more development clarity.
The board then voted to authorize the executive director to sign and receive all documents associated with the FBIP (Boating Improvement Program) grant. A board member moved the authorization, a second was recorded, and the motion carried by voice vote.
What’s next: Staff will work with the grant specialist and Stantec to finalize application materials and pursue the construction-phase grant when design/permitting milestones are met. The permitting timeline identified by staff — driven by Army Corps review — will be a major determinant of the project schedule and the timing of any construction funding requests.
Ending: The board approved staff’s request to pursue the grant and directed staff to return with more detailed scoring and match information once the grant specialist confirms the specific point system and eligibility details.
