Progress is being made on the Lincoln Park Boat Ramp in Valparaiso. The Valparaiso City Commission approved spending nearly $1 million to improve the boat ramp and docks.
- During a Nov. 13 meeting, commissioners awarded a $996,585 bid to Loftis Marine LLC of Pensacola to replace the deteriorating boat ramp facilities.
- According to the city, the current ramp and docks are in poor condition and need extensive repairs in order to remain usable.
The project is partially funded through a $414,000 grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that was awarded in January 2022.
- The city plans to make up the nearly $583,000 funding gap through other available sources like American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, county boating improvement grants, the city’s parks reserve fund, and potentially its half-cent sales tax revenue.
As part of the grant, the city will have to dedicate the boat ramp as a “boat access facility” for the benefit and use of the public for no less than 20 years.
With the pouring of all new concrete, the boat ramp will go from a single lane to a 27ft double lane allowing two boats to launch at once. There will also be new boat parking.
According to the city, they have a deadline to finish by June 30, 2024 due to grant requirements.
