Long Beach seeks grant funding for Davies Launch Ramp renovation
October 13, 2016
City requests $4.16 million from Division of Boating and Waterways.
LONG BEACH — One of Long Beach’s five boat launch ramps could soon be updated.
Long Beach’s City Council approved a resolution on Aug. 23 authorizing city officials to pursue a $4.16 million grant from California’s Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) to fund renovations and upgrades at Davies Launch Ramp.
City officials wish to renovate and modernize Davies Launch Ramp, which is expected to cost $4.16 million. (Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine hopes to fund the entire boat launch ramp modernization with state grant funding.)
“The proposed Davies renovation and modernization project will address significant public access limitations. Davies’ parking area is in serious disrepair, with deteriorated paving, worn stripping, poorly marked driving areas, limited lighting, and a lack of ADA compliant spaces,” stated a city staff report to council members. “All of these factors contribute to public safety and equal access concerns.”
If the renovation project is funded and moves forward the city aims to replace piles, gangways and the 350-linear-foot concrete dock. The launch ramp and restroom would also be replaced, according to city staff.
Other upgrades would be made to the parking lot, fire protection system, sewage system pumpouts, waste dumpster enclosure, boat wash stations and area lighting.
“These improvements will create a cleaner, safer, and more accessible boat launch area, which will allow for more people to enjoy the water,” city staff stated in its report to council members.
City staff acknowledged requests for grant funding from DBW are competitive and it is possible the state could provide some cash flow to the boat launch ramp project without meeting Long Beach’s full budget requirements.
“The project components are designed to allow for completion of various phases, as grant funding is awarded. The city is under no obligation to complete the entire project if only partial funding is received,” city staff stated in its report.
DBW, according to city staff, provides grant funding for these types of projects “as part of its commitment to provide clean, safe and enjoyable recreational boating and beach activities in California.”
The public boat launch ramp is near Alamitos Bay Marina and is open 24 hours. About 27,000 trailered boats are launched from there annually. The boat launch ramp venue features seven launch lanes, 185 parking spaces, restrooms and a boat wash station.
Davies Launch Ramp is located at 6204 E. Marina Drive, just below the Davies Bridge at Second Street and Marina Drive. It is one of two 24-hour boat launch ramps in Long Beach (the other is South Shore Launch Ramp in downtown).
The other boat launch ramps servicing Long Beach boaters are at South Shore (590 Queensway Drive), Marine Stadium (5255 Paoli Way), Claremont (5300 E. Ocean Boulevard), and Granada (1 S. Granada Drive).
Boaters pay a $12 per-day fee for use a launch ramp venue.
Contact Stephanie Hardy (Stephanie.Hardy@longbeach.gov or 562-570-8636) at City Hall for additional information.
(Photo by Parimal M. Rohit)
