To this point, focus of the discussion has centered on a boat launch at the base of Liberty Street as well as parking and infrastructure improvements.

While engineering schematics are valuable, it can be tough to envision what a final project will really look like.

And there’s a sense that this project – developing the riverfront at this point in time – is too important to get wrong.

Two new proposals were presented Monday night to a group of officials involved in downtown development that would transform the scope of that project.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton A look at one of two proposals for the future of the Breeze Point area discussed during a Monday night meeting.

WCCBI President/CEO Jim Decker presented the proposals, which were drafted by S2O Engineering, a Colorado-based firm that designs recreational facilities.

S2O “gave us some pretty neat ideas,” Decker said, on “how to address getting into the river in a less obtrusive way.”

He called it a change in thought and focus.

The most substantial change in each of the two options provided by S2O? Moving the part of the launch for motorized boats from the base of Liberty Street upstream to the confluence with the Conewango Creek at the base of Market Street.

Decker said that S2O President Scott Shipley visited Warren as part of the design process and suggested moving the power boat launch.

“(We) want to grab those people and bring them downtown and treat them well,” he said of the canoes and kayaks coming down the river. “His (Shipley) consideration is that fishermen are not as social as canoe/kayakers.”

The proposals come at a rough estimate of $2 million, which would fit within the funding already secured.

“We really have to evaluate the numbers,” Decker stressed.

So what else do they include?

One option includes a splash pad at Breeze Point Park Landing, parking, a general assembly area, a cantilevered deck for a walkway along the river as well as boulder terrace bank in addition to canoe/kayak access in that area.

Option two is similar but designs the canoe/kayak point differently and replaces the splash pad with a bouldering element.

The gazebo that is currently at Breeze Point is removed in both proposals.

The current engineering design for the boat launch focus on the launch and the parcels to the east of Liberty Street.

Most of the work in the new designs – except for the boat launch at the confluence – occurs to the west of Liberty Street.

That may present some challenges.

“The city has a pile of money dedicated to the one boat launch,” City Manager Mike Holtz said. “All of the narratives are written for a” motorized launch to shift traffic away from the helipad. It’d be nice if we could revisit one ramp with power and non-power down there. To go back and separate these things is going to go back and cost some money. It’s probably not feasible to be up at the confluence.”

He also questioned whether the $2 million estimate is realistic.

“Ultimately we should do what makes sense for the long-term future of Warren,” Councilwoman Wendy McCain said.

She said that the new design “feels a lot safer to me” and “feels less expensive and less congested.”

Councilman Maurice Cashman suggested that the existing design is “still a couple years away…. When you start again, you’re starting over.”

Holtz and Mayor Dave Wortman both argued that the boat launch piece needs to go first. Decker acknowledged that the motorized launch could be forgotten if it’s left out at this stage.

Holtz said the American Rescue Plan money involved has to be spent by 2026.

“(We) need to probably decide what the boat launch is going to be (fairly) quickly and start,” he said. “We already should be hurrying because of some of the funding timelines.”

Decker said the next stop will be to evaluate the estimated numbers and Holtz said it should be done by the middle of January.

Such a step, Decker said, “puts us in a good position” to know whether the designs are viable.