The Meadville Tribune
By Keith Gushard
Saturday, December 7, 2013
CONNEAUT LAKE — The Borough of Conneaut Lake has been awarded a $400,000 state grant to upgrade Fireman’s Beach.
The grant, from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is the third the borough has received this fall as part of a community development project.
The money will go toward rehabilitation and further development of Fireman’s Beach with construction of a boat launch, boat docks, boat slips, a pedestrian walkway and parking as well as handicapped accessibility and landscaping.
While there is no construction schedule yet, it’s possible work could begin on Fireman’s Beach after the summer beach season has ended in September 2014, according to Bill Eldridge, chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee and a member of borough council. Council still needs to receive and review the grant documentation from DCNR, he said.
The Fireman’s Beach project is part of a series of more than $2 million in community improvements the borough has planned.
Last month, the borough was awarded a $375,000 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant to improve infrastructure within the borough’s central business district along Water Street.
The $375,000 grant would pay for improvements along Water Street between the Conneaut Lake Outflow and Second Street. Work includes partial relocation of utility lines; new curbing and sidewalks with handicapped accessible ramps; new asphalt on the street; improved decorative street lights; and new traffic signs.
In October, the borough was awarded a $150,000 grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission for a storm water improvement project. That project is along Route 322 from the borough’s border with Sadsbury Township west into the borough along Route 322/Water Street to west of First Street, Eldridge said.
The borough has committed $150,000 toward the revitalization project and Crawford County has committed $210,000 as well.