The Erie Port Authority continues to press ahead with it's development plan for East Dobbins Landing.
The poor economy put plans for McAllister Place on hold 5 years ago. But since the plan was revived last year the authority has interviewed 4 of 5 interested developers. Three firms are local, two are from Pittsburgh.
The authority favors a plan for condominiums, retail and office space and indoor parking on property it owns. But managers say they know any developer is likely to modify the original plan. The authority hopes to ask for detailed proposals soon.
Ray Schreckengost of the Erie Port Authority said, "We have one more developer to talk with. We will ask for requests for proposals at the end of January, take a look at those and hopefully by the end of February have some sort of direction to go in."
Meantime, the authority is also preparing for some improvements to the shipyard it owns, and leases to Don Jon Shipbuilding and Repair.
One project involves extending a year-old rail spur from the entrance of the shipyard all the way to the end of the dock. A $1 million grant is paying for the project. The line will allow Don Jon to move larger loads of steel.
And the authority will spend another $250,000 on roof repairs to the huge dry dock building. But it is expected to take several years to fix the entire roof.
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