The Village of Middleport recently received $74,150 in funding for harborside amenities that could increase the number of stops for boaters along the Erie Canal. The grant from the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corp. will be used to upgrade the electrical services and pedestal mounted junction boxes to provide boaters with 50 amp and 30 amp connections. It also includes a new drinking water supply at each connecting location, new concrete pads for picnic tables and outdoor lighting fixtures.
“This will allow us to have bigger boats that need more power,” said Mayor Daniel Dodge.
The project’s boat ramps are located along the south side of the Erie Canal, just west of the Main Street drawbridge. According to Middleport Village Coordinator Bryan Bobbitt, who oversees parks and infrastructure, 12 electrical boxes made of marine-grade stainless steel will be installed, with water hookups on each. Bobbitt said currently, with boaters sharing water connections, their hoses pose a tripping hazard.
The village has a number of features that appeal to boaters, Bobbitt said. “Now that the police are here, the boaters feel very comfortable. We always get compliments that everything is clean.” However, Bobbitt said if the electrical connections were not working, boaters would move on.