The Wareham Redevelopment Authority is seeking public input on a longstanding proposed project to increase recreational use of the Wareham River behind Main Street.

Chair of the Redevelopment Authority Dan Butler, said the project aims to boost recreational use of the Wareham River along Merchants Way and the plan has been dubbed the Wareham Village Coastal Access Project.

"It envisions potentially putting in a coastal pathway along where Merchants Way is and potentially a boardwalk all the way from Tremont Nail Factory to Besse Park," said Butler. "As part of that, we envisioned a fishing pier that could be used for recreational fishing and a kayak launch."

Butler added the Redevelopment Authority has contracted with two companies who have partnered together to help design the project.

The project is designed to not only increase recreational use of the river, Butler explained, but to also make the area safer. He added that many people access the river by crossing the railroad tracks along Merchants Way, which is illegal. The Redevelopment Authority is seeking funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for a pedestrian crossing over the tracks to allow people to safely and legally cross.

"We're trying to revitalize Wareham Village and take advantage of Merchants Way and the waterfront," said Butler.

According to Butler, the project is still in the design phase and it has been for over 10 years and they are looking for input from the community before moving forward.

The Redevelopment Authority is holding a meeting to present the current design to the community Monday, Nov. 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Warren's Harborview located at 59 Main Street.

Butler said the project does not have a completion date or cost yet but the Redevelopment Authority is hoping the cost will mostly be covered by state grants and through funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

To let the Redevelopment authority know your thoughts, take this survey survey123.arcgis.com/share/0a222adba0ad48deb4719f6cb14684e7?portalUrl=https://TigheBond.maps.arcgis.com

For more information, contact the redevelopment authority at warehamredevelopmentauthority@wareham.ma.us.