Marina discussed
Tue, 10/03/2006
The Des Moines City Council launched a discussion last week about proposed changes to the marina.
Remodeling the harbormaster's house, building a marina hardware store, adding more guest moorage and replacing the bulkhead are options that lawmakers are considering doing in the next few years.
Lawmakers expressed optimism with an updated Marina Master Plan, created by the Municipal Facilities Committee, during a review of the document on Sept. 28.
"I'm seeing it finally come together," said Councilwoman Carmen Scott. "I think we're all finally getting somewhere."
One project that is still up in the air is a proposed replacement of the north marina bulkhead.
The plan presented would have the bulkhead cut into the north parking lot, creating more guest moorage for boats but less parking.
"You can't expand the marina, bring in business and take away parking," said Councilman Ed Pina.
The parking in the north lot would be reduced to single vehicle parking under this plan.
A small-boat launch that is currently at the marina would be removed to accommodate these changes, which would also reduce the number of vehicles pulling trailers.
"A lot of trailers will be gone with no small boat launch, which will help with parking when buildings are added," said Councilman Dan Sherman, chairman of the Municipal Facilities Committee.
But renovations underway at Des Moines Beach Park, located adjacent to the marina, could also create a need for more parking.
There are little options for parking at the park with the entertainment it's going to bring in, said Scott.
The north parking lot can also be viewed as performance platform, she said, alluding to the wooden boat show held there last summer.
Taking out land to add guest moorage could jeopardize that, Scott added.
The new bulkhead would be built three feet in front of the existing bulkhead and made from rotting timbers.
"Cutting into the parking lot with a new bulkhead would be adding water," said City Manager Tony Piasecki.
The sling launch, which also could be removed, is losing money in operations, said Sherman. "The launch was used for small fishing boats, and that market has dwindled."
With repairs that are needed on it, "we just can't afford to do that," he said.
Amenities that would be added to the marina include a small convenience store located in the harbormaster's location and shower and laundry facilities, all to provide better accommodations for boaters.
"These are things that are really attractive to boaters and it doesn't take a lot to do it," said Sherman.
The small sheds currently located in the middle of the marina would be phased out to expand the boat and repair yard.
Some sheds are being used to store furniture and personal storage, which is "underutilized space on valuable property," Sherman said.
The marina docks would also be expanded for larger boats
Removing one dock and spreading out the others would create more room and to accommodate larger boats, said Harbormaster Joe Dusenbury.
The gravel lot on the northeast corner of the marina, where the quartermasters store was, will continue to be a gravel lot, leaving flexibility for further development plans.
One idea for the site is a small parking garage with a viewing deck.
Funding for the large project was brought up at the meeting.
"Before we look at funding, you have to know what you want in it," said Piasecki.