The Prescott City Council has approved a $57,497 modification to the Prescott Boat Launch, which will be carried out by River City Welding, Inc. At the Jan. 13 council meeting, City Administrator Matt Wolf addressed concerns that have surfaced since the boat launch was installed, noting two main issues.

First, while the launch was designed to pivot as the river level rises, boats can become caught underneath the dock as it adjusts. Wolf noted that the second issue was due to the length of the launch.

“Additionally, the other issue is that the length of the actual launch itself as the water rises goes underwater faster.” Wolf explained that these issues are a natural consequence of the river’s changing conditions. He also mentioned the previous dock system, which rested on asphalt, allowed public works to move it in and out more easily, but the wear and tear on the floats and the potential for the entire dock to shift when accidentally hit by boats created further problems. It then requires a significant amount of time and effort from public works.

“A large amount of their time is going to adjust that dock and fixing it in summer,” Wolf remarked.

In response to these challenges, the city plans two key adjustments. The new design will place the dock on guideposts to protect it from being hit and allow it to move up and down with the water level. Additionally, the project will extend the launch by 20 feet into the parking lot and relocate the current ramp structure by moving it over to the handicapped area that’s next to it. Wolf stated that funding for these changes would come from TID 4 (Tax Increment District 4).

Alderperson John Peterson asked if the modifications would impede traffic. Wolf assured him that the changes would not interfere, as the new structure would remain level with the existing turning radius.

Alderperson Adam Granquist expressed his appreciation for how quickly the team identified the issue and found a solution.

“There’s a big outcry around this,” Granquist commented. “Great work on everyone involved.”

In another vote, the council approved the addition of a pedestrian crossing at the existing at-grade railroad crossing as part of the Riverfront Phase 2 Project. Wolf explained that the city plans to establish a pedestrian crossing over the railroad tracks and will work with the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) to finalize the project’s design and safety measures. The OCR will also make the final decisions on the specifics of the safety features required for the crossing. The City of Prescott will be responsible for the final costs and installation of warning devices and safety measures.