Two grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft paid for most of the improvements. The village received $133,984 in grants to be used for the project, which had a total cost of $149,082.
Village council members approved the project at their April 12 meeting and Administrator Dave Kennedy put together a contract for the work immediately after the meeting.
“This goes beyond New Richmond,” Kennedy said about the improvements. “The boat ramp is used by people all over Clermont County and Brown County. It is responsible for bringing people to the river.”
Before the project, the village’s wooden dock was the only access and was removed during the winter months. The new dock is permanent and will allow for year-round launching.
“During the summer months, when the river is at pool stage, we have two lanes for boat launching,” Kennedy said about adding another dock. “Which helps get the boaters out into the river quicker.”
In addition, Kennedy said holes in the concrete of the underwater portion of the Augusta Street boat ramp were causing problems for boaters. Work was done to repair the holes and correct the drop off on the ramp.
Sunesis Construction was the project contractor for the improvements and Brandstetter Carroll was the engineer.
Kennedy said the improvements benefit both recreational boaters and fisherman that utilize Ohio River via New Richmond.
“The river and the boat dock are an economic development tool for the village,” Kennedy said. “This extends that tool for a longer period of time.”