Morgantown Dominion Post
11 November 2005
Construction could begin this coming spring on a Monongahela River boat launch in the Fort Martin Industrial Park near Maidsville, officials said Thursday.
Don Reinke, director of the Monongalia County Development Authority, said the authority took action Thursday to clear the last hurdle to the boat launch.
The authority voted Thursday to modify its agreement with the state Division of Natural Resources to eliminate a clause that allowed the authority to get out of the lease within 30 days.
Reinke said the DNR needed a 25-year commitment to the boat launch before it would invest more than $100,000 in building the launch.
Reinke said the boat launch is on a section of the industrial park that is largely a wetland and unsuitable for industrial use. The authority could start construction on the boat launch by spring and could open it for boaters by the end of the summer.
Once finished, the launch would be big enough for most boats that can be carried on trailers, Reinke said. It would also have a parking area for a minimum of 50 vehicles with trailers.
"We're doing this to add to the quality of life and recreational amenities here in Mon County," Reinke said.