OLEAN, N.Y. — Bob Fischer loves the Allegheny River. He’s not bashful about saying so.

“I know I’m a bit biased, but I think we have the most beautiful section of the river from Portville to Allegany,” he said.

But for the owner of Fischer’s Auto Service and Portville Planning Board member, the river represents an untapped resource.

He’s not the only person who feels that way.

For about the last year, a small group of people from Portville, Olean, Allegany and St. Bonaventure University, including Fischer, has held informal discussions about how the waterway could play a role in economic development

Their plan: creating a network of trails and several small boat launches along the Allegheny.

But their plan needs to become formal first.

That’s why now, Olean city officials are pursuing a grant for nearly $80,000 to study and develop blueprints for the trail system and boat launches.

During a meeting of Olean’s Common Council, aldermen authorized Mayor Bill Aiello to submit a consolidated funding application (CFA) to the state under the Local Waterfront Revitalization program for the Allegheny River Linear Park Extension project. The CFA process is a streamlined way for municipalities to apply for grant funding in one application.

“Last year there were several projects that we tried to apply for through the CFA that could have qualified for additional monies through Local Waterfront Revitalization program,” Mary George, the city’s Community Development coordinator. “But unfortunately, you can’t have access to those funds unless you have a plan in place.”

Creation of the plan will bode well for the city and communities hoping to access grant funding, as it will demonstrate a unified commitment to the improve amenities along the river, George said.

“We all want to see development along the river while making sure that we preserve open space along the river,” she said. “This plan will look at that and what are more appropriate opportunities for development along the river.”

Once developed, the plan can then be used by the individual communities to pursue other grant funding sources.

For Olean, future development along the Allegheny River would likely mean improving the small boat launch on the southwest side of the South Union Street bridge; installing new trails; and continued renovating of Bradner Stadium, which is located close to the confluence of Olean Creek and the river.

In Portville, grant funding would be used to create a small boat launch for kayaks and canoes by Steam Valley Road bridge. The launch would also feature special equipment allowing the disabled and those.

Until recently, the small plot of land was privately owned. Its owner, Fischer said, agreed to annex the property to the village of Portville.

“What we’d like to see happen is to put in a little park there with benches, tables and grills,” Fischer said. “It’d be a nice place for people to go and enjoy themselves.”

In Olean, Allegany and other communities the river runs through, similar boat launches and parks could also be put in.

Those public spaces, Fischer said, could have a ripple effect on their communities.

“What we might end up seeing is development in the vicinity of the launches, with restaurants, campgrounds and other attractions,” he said. This all could really improve the quality of life around here for people and generate some economic activity.”

Development of a series of boat launches and parks along the Allegheny is already under way downstream in Pennsylvania, Fischer noted.

“Theoretically, you could launch a canoe or kayak from the Steam Valley site and go all the way down to the river’s headwaters in Pennsylvania and onto (Kinzua Dam),” he said. “Eventually, if this all happens, we’d like to have a map of the river and the parks and post that online. That could bring folks from Buffalo and up north down here.

The application for funding is due to state authorities next week. Funding announcements will be made later this year.