The Raquette River Blueway Corridor Advisory Committee is asking for proposals from urban planning, architectural and engineering firms for a new initiative to enhance waterfront access to the Raquette River.

The committee has secured grant funds to provide towns and villages along the Raquette River with help developing construction plans and specifications for waterfront access improvement projects. The towns of Piercefield and Norfolk and the villages of Norwood and Massena were selected to participate in the project.

The firm selected by the committee will provide planning, schematic and construction document design services to these communities for their projects.

Fred Hanss, coordinator for the committee, noted that a firm will be selected this summer. Planning and design work will be completed before the end of the year with the hope that the towns and villages will either undertake the projects using their public works departments or seek additional grant funding for more ambitious efforts.

Each of the communities selected for participation were highlighted in the advisory committee’s 2010 “Raquette River Blueway Trail Corridor Plan” that focused on the revitalization of rural communities along the 174 mile long river corridor.

The plan identified high priority projects that have the potential to increase the quality of life for the area’s year-round residents, increase tourism, and promote the economic development of the region’s river communities.

The waterfront access project is aimed at improving beaches, swimming areas, picnicking and boating facilities in the participating communities.

For more information on the Raquette River Blueway Corridor or the waterfront access project, contact Hanss at fhanss@vi.potsdam.ny.us or at 265-1670.

The committee in partnership with the Town of Colton secured funds in 2010 through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program that is administered by the New York State Department of State.