We have said before a boat launch along the river in downtown Warren is a good idea.

More active use of the riverfront can be beneficial for tourists visiting the region. Vince DeJoy, city planner, has experience from his time in Jamestown in the ways a more active waterfront can bring life to a downtown area.

It is also important to note that the boat launch the city is talking about involves far more than a simple sloped concrete ramp from which you slip a boat into the water. The city wants to create parking for vehicles and trailers, curbs and a boarding dock for passengers.

The sticking point is cost.

Warren has $1.5 million in hand toward the $2 million cost, with city officials asking Warren County for $500,000 from the county’s American Rescue Plan funding for the project.

One of our readers had two thoughts that city officials should consider — are there other locations where the project could be done cheaper? And should user fees be charged to help pay for maintenance costs. Those are good questions that should be answered.

We have one more question county officials should ask as well — what goes with the boat launch. The launch is nice, but is there a next step beyond putting in the launch? Spending $2 million on a boat launch should only be considered if there is a realistic plan for events or further development to go further with tourism and boating programs at that site.

In our opinion, a boat launch downtown is a good idea as long as it is the start of something bigger.