Leetsdale boat launch construction approved, expansion sought

A public boat launch into the Ohio River from the Leetsdale Industrial Park may be getting an even greater face-lift than originally expected.

The recreation cite near the Hussey Copper property has been closed since the original concrete slab broke off in the 1990s, causing a safety hazard.

Borough officials have been working for more than a year trying to restore the launch.

Leetsdale acquired a $228,000 state Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund grant through the efforts of Allegheny County and the Quaker Valley Council of Governments.

Council unanimously voted on March 13 to award a $94,000 project to Verardi Landscape LLC of Pittsburgh. They were the lowest of six bidders. The bids ranged from nearly $94,000 to $256,550.

Crews will install, at minimum, a 20-footwide-by-32-feet-long concrete launch.

Borough engineer Dan Slagle said he spoke with the contractor several times and determined the major difference in bids was largely due to Verardi Landscape’s precast concrete plank manufacturer.

“Obviously this caught me by surprise,” Slagle told council. “I’ve been working very closely with the contractor. He feels very confident that he can do it (at this price).”

Construction could start as early as June and be done some time in August.

The work is also dependent upon the borough renewing permits with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Verardi Landscape’s $94,000 bid also included $27,000 for asphalt paving of the area leading into the launch, a project council had voted down last month after it was expected to cost the borough about $50,000.

Slagle said that will now be covered by grant funds, as will relining of an existing Americans with Disabilities Act parking space.

Because the winning bid was so low, the engineer plans to work with the county and the contractor to double the width of the launch to 40 feet.

Slagle said he advertised smaller specifications to help ensure the work would be covered by the grant.

A larger launch would make it easier for anglers to move boats in and out of the river simultaneously if necessary, as well as other benefits.

“Making it wider will enable a novice boater to actually launch his boat without jeopardizing his trailer,” Slagle said.

The engineer is also exploring the creating of a permanent restroom on the site paid for by any remaining grant funds.

The restroom project was estimated at about $70,000.

Slagle hopes to hear back from the county about the requests in April.

“We’ll see what we can do about amending the scope of the project,” the engineer said.

Council President Maria Napolitano commended Slagle for his due diligence.

“I trust his expertise,” Napolitano said. “I find that with all the amenities like this, the price is typically a sticker shock. To have the opposite happen for once is pleasant.”

Council Vice President Osman Awad, who spearheaded the boat launch’s renewal, is excited to have it back in use soon.

“It’s going to be done by the summer,” he said. “I feel great.”

Leetsdale has one of the few public launches into the Ohio River.

Borough officials plan to hire a consultant to create a master site plan for the boat launch area.

“We would definitely like this area to be the best that it could be,” Napolitano said.

It was unclear when a consultant would be hired or how much the plan would cost.