The first project in an ongoing revitalization effort for downtown Mathews is nearly finished, and other long-anticipated projects are beginning to spring to life.

A dock and kayak launch for a park on Put-In Creek is slated for completion by next weekend, said Mathews County Planning and Zoning Director John Shaw, with contractors on the project “cranking along.”

The handicapped-accessible facility is just the first step, said Shaw, adding that he hopes the county will in the future be able to complete the small park nearby the court green with a gazebo, a boardwalk, lighting and seating.

The $243,668 project is being funded by a National Park Service $88,000 grant, which has been matched by the county, and by $67,668 in funds from the $667,696 community development block grant (CDBG) awarded the county for downtown revitalization.

Façade projects ready

Also under the CDBG grant, two façade improvement projects are expected to be ready for construction w...