BOWDOINHAM — Bowdoinham is continuing plans to redevelop its River Road public works site, with an eye toward a public recreation area.
The first phase of the project will involve bank stabilization and a boat launch for non-motorized boats.
It was decided to put the non-motorized boat launch in the initial phase after a pair of public meetings in the fall to obtain interests and ideas. Survey work for the new public space will begin in the spring, with funds coming from the $45,000 grant the town received.
“We got a Coastal Communities (grant) to do the shoreline bank stabilization for water access and a paddle put-in,” said Town Planner Nicole Briand. “The design work will really begin in the summer. We learned that we got the grant but we ran out of time with the weather to do any surveying work.”
A pavilion for gatherings and performances has been discussed from the beginning of the process. The town had asked architect Richardson and Associates to look at the feasibility of reusing the public works garage for a pavilion. In December, Bowdoinham’s Comprehensive Plan Committee recommended the garage be demolished and a new pavilion developed.
“It was decided that it would be best not to pigeonhole any plans to fit the garage,” said Briand. “In the last draft of the master site plan the pavilion was phase two anyway.”
Another recommendation is that the master plan, expected to be completed soon, likely won’t include a designated swim area. Concerns about the cost of installing one, as well as safety concerns ultimately culled that idea.
Even with plans taking shape, it will take time to see them through. Many will depend what is available for grants, donations, or funding from the town. In those initial town meetings, architects presented broad cost estimates for a pavilion ranging from $100,000-$400,000, depending on the type. Estimates for a boat launch ranged from $15,000 to $35,000
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