Dunkirk releases plans to upgrade pier

The Dunkirk City Pier provides beautiful views and good fishing on a warm day in May, but come next summer, the pier could look very different.

The city received $2.5 million in state funding to improve the city's waterfront and the city wants to start with the pier.

Thursday, at Dunkirk High School, the mayor brought what the city believed were the three best designs to the public. The designs include a green space and less parking on the pier. The designs weren't loved by everyone.
 

This what the City of Dunkirk wants its pier and waterfront area to look like. Plans are being presented tonight at Dunkirk HS. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/mvvDWAynot

— Jeff Rusack (@JeffRusack) May 24, 2018

“What we're hearing is that they didn't like any of the three preferred concepts that we showed,” said Mayor Wilfred Rosas.

Mike Proffer of Dunkirk is for upgrading the Pier.

“Lake Erie is right there. Let's enjoy it. Let's take advantage of it,” said Proffer. But, he wants the pier to remain accessible by all forms of transportation.

“I think they're not preserving the main attraction of the pier which is the ability to enjoy the water year round, in a variety of modes either in your car, on your bike, or to walk,” added Proffer.

This was just the initial phase of planning and the first time any plans were made public. 

“We're going to go back to the drawing board and we're going to redesign and I think that we can come to an agreement where they'll be happy and we can make some good enhancements to our pier,” said Rosas.

The city wants to start working on the pier by 2019.