Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton State grant dollars have been awarded to help the City of Warren acquire this parcel along the riverfront in downtown Warren.

State grant dollars have been awarded to the City of Warren to help procure a strip of land along the riverfront in downtown Warren.

Securing the properties is considered ‘mission critical’ to the ongoing riverfront redevelopment effort.

The award for the riverfront from the state’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program totals $147,600 while an additional $50,000 was awarded for a renovation of a restroom at Betts Park.

The riverfront award, according to the state’s grant list, is for “payment toward the acquisition of approximately 0.51 acres along the Allegheny River and .19 acres along Breeze Point Circle and Liberty Street in Warren City, Warren County for a multi-use trail, river access and parking.”

The .51-acre parcel runs along the riverfront behind the building where Bent Run and Allegheny Outfitters are located.

The other parcel is the vacant concrete pad located next to the townhouses.

“Both of these parcels are absolutely ‘mission critical’ to the overall riverfront development project,” Jim Decker, president/CEO of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, told the Times Observer.

Securing that land will also link more downtown amenities.

“The area running along the riverbank is envisioned as being expanded and improved to provide a scenic and comfortable walking trail back to the confluence of the Conewango,” Decker said, “and to a desired pedestrian bridge across the Conewango Creek to the Point Park, CAR Pool, YMCA and War Memorial Field directly to the downtown amenities.

“The parcel adjacent to the townhouses is currently envisioned to provide additional parking to support the boat launch and other elements of the project.”

The appraised value of the two parcels is $340,000 and this marks the city’s third attempt at securing acquisition grant funding.

The grant requires local matching funds and City Manager Mike Holtz said those dollars would come from the city’s federal American Rescue Plan allocation.

Holtz added that the restroom at Betts to be improved with this allocation is the one by the tennis courts and DeFrees Pavilion.

According to the state, work will include restroom renovation, installation of utilities, ADA access, landscaping and a project sign, among other side improvements.

Holtz said the matching dollars for that project are being provided by a local foundation.

A total of $52.5 million for 225 projects was awarded by the state as part of this grant program.

“Our Commonwealth has incredible outdoor spaces – and for me, there’s no better place to be than on a Pennsylvania trail,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement.

“Our local parks and natural spaces are hometown treasures in our neighborhoods — in urban cities and rural towns alike. Communities across Pennsylvania should know that my Administration is ready to work with you to protect and invest in your local treasures.”

The funding comes from the Keystone Fund, made up of a portion of the realty transfer tax, the Environmental Stewardship Fund and the ATV/Snowmobile Fund.