A Request for Proposal (RFP) will likely be issued within the next few months for the multi-million dollar renovation of Fireman’s Beach and on Water Street in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania.
Conneaut Lake is the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania by surface area. It’s located in western Crawford County near the town of the same name. During the summer season, the lake heavily populated with vacationers, many of them from the Pittsburgh area.
Other than the lake itself, the largest draw to the area has long been a popular resort known as Conneaut Lake Park, long known for its amusement park.
Fireman’s Beach flooded in winter.
The RFP will be the result of good news that Bill Eldridge—chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee and a member of Conneaut Lake Borough Council—reported to council in early August of 2017.
The U.S. Department of Commerce‘s Economic Development Administration (EDA) had just approved a request from the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC) to use some of the $1 million grant from the EDA for renovation work on Fireman’s Beach, Eldridge reported.
Although he does not have the final approval, Eldridge said he has been told the EDA has OKd the CLCDC’s request, with final approval expected in the next couple of weeks.
The work on the beach comprises the connecting of Ice House Park to Fireman’s Beach with a promenade walkway, renovating the parking area, relocating of the picnic shelter, adding new piers, and replacing some old piers.
That will bring the total number of docks up to 96. The work also will include a new boat launch and other beach improvements.
Work on Water Street includes new curbing, sidewalks, light poles, the placement of utility lines underground and other upgrades.
Over the past six years, the CLCDC has raised nearly $3.15 million in state and federal grants and private donations for the project.
All photos via Fireman’s Beach Facebook page.