Bay Council Green-lights Marina Plan
By J.R. WELSH
Seacoast Echo Staff Writer
A three-year effort to locate a luxury marina and other improvements in downtown Bay St. Louis prevailed this week when the City Council voted to spend an initial $13.3 million in federal funds for the project, expected to cost a total of about $18 million.
A crowd of about 400 people looked on and 42 members of the public lined up to voice their opinions on the subject at a special council meeting held at Bay High School Thursday night. After the meeting that lasted more than three hours, the crowd had thinned by the time of the unanimous vote to proceed.
The marina and waterfront improvements project will include a new municipal pier, 165 slips with an average size of 41 feet, fuel docks, and associated buildings. Under a Tidelands lease agreement with the state, the city can also develop and sub-lease space for restaurants, shops, or other acceptable businesses.
'Something to talk about'
The marina is planned to be located between de Montluzin Street and the CSX Railroad bridge. Proponents are painting the project as a badly-needed economic catalyst that will return Old Town to the glories of its pre-Katrina days.
"It gives us something to sell and to talk about," said Council President Wendy McDonald, as she prepared to call for a motion on the vote. "This is not a poorly thought-out proposal."
Of the 42 speakers, the vast majority favored the marina. Funding comes from federal Community Development Block Grants, and FEMA is paying for construction of the new pier itself. Proponents had urged the council to accept the funding, which allows a marina at no initial cost to the city. Most of the pro-marina speakers at the meeting were members of the business community and of the Bay Area Recovery Team. The late Jody Compretta, a BART member,
was among the earliest marina advocates.
"We really need this to move forward with this city," Realtor Avra O'Dwyer said.
"When you're offered a gift, I think the nicest thing you can do is say 'thank you' and take it," said Nell Frisbie, another local Realtor.
Developer Chet LeBlanc, chairman of the city's Harbor Commission, said marina advocates had worked since 2007 to push the idea forward. "Every hoop that was out there, we jumped through," he said.
Bay resident Ames Kergosien said he had been worried about sand buildup and dredging needs for a harbor, but his concerns had been satisfied. "Let's go with it," he said.
Some concern was expressed that plans for another, 283-slip marina at the proposed Riverwalk development on the Jourdan River could diminish demand for slips at a city marina. However, consultant Michael Herman, of Moffatt & Nichol, discounted that possibility. "The market is plenty big to support both projects," he said.
"We're all going to benefit. I think it's a win-win situation," said Henry Martinez, a local construction company owner.
The other side
Opposing speakers questioned the scope of the marina and other project aspects.
"This project is fiscal folly," said Judy Reeves, a former commodore of the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club. "I just think the project is not well considered. I think it's way too big." She also feared that operating and dredging costs could eventually lead to city tax increases.
Jim Mallini feared the marina, as planned, would be an elitist institution catering only to the rich. He questioned current plans for no commercial fishing activities to be conducted in the marina. "Is it just for the business people, or is it for the whole population of Bay St. Louis?" he said.
Camille Tate said the proposed slip fees are too high, and the lack of a boat launch will restrict marina use to wealthy owners of large boats. "We need to bring in people and tourists, and not just two people on a yacht," Tate said.
Retired businessman Carroll Gordon, who has long cited faults with a proposed marina plan, noted that meetings of the harbor commission have consistently been held behind closed doors. "It struck me there's some kind of compulsive need to keep the public out of this," he said.
Rachael Ramsey said the council didn't have all the information necessary to commit to a marina plan. "If this is such a great idea,get the details before you sign the papers," she said.
Councilman Bill Taylor read aloud from a letter by Ryan LaFontaine, a Bay resident, former newspaper reporter, and public information officer for the City of Gulfport.
The letter cited numerous problems the city suffers, including no grocery store, an "architectural nightmare" being built on Main Street, road projects that never seem to end, and the current shambled state of the Cedar Point area.
"With all this necessary work still to be done, discussing a lofty harbor project that we cannot afford is a slap in the face to the people of Bay St. Louis," LaFontaine wrote.
Councilman Joey Boudin was first among council members to commit to a marina vote, but expressed concern because no boat launch facilities are included in the marina plans. Engineer Jason Chiniche, of Brown & Mitchell, promised to study the possibility of including boat launches. "We'll fit it in the best we can," he said.
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Seacoast Echo Staff Writer
A three-year effort to locate a luxury marina and other improvements in downtown Bay St. Louis prevailed this week when the City Council voted to spend an initial $13.3 million in federal funds for the project, expected to cost a total of about $18 million.
A crowd of about 400 people looked on and 42 members of the public lined up to voice their opinions on the subject at a special council meeting held at Bay High School Thursday night. After the meeting that lasted more than three hours, the crowd had thinned by the time of the unanimous vote to proceed.
The marina and waterfront improvements project will include a new municipal pier, 165 slips with an average size of 41 feet, fuel docks, and associated buildings. Under a Tidelands lease agreement with the state, the city can also develop and sub-lease space for restaurants, shops, or other acceptable businesses.
'Something to talk about'
The marina is planned to be located between de Montluzin Street and the CSX Railroad bridge. Proponents are painting the project as a badly-needed economic catalyst that will return Old Town to the glories of its pre-Katrina days.
"It gives us something to sell and to talk about," said Council President Wendy McDonald, as she prepared to call for a motion on the vote. "This is not a poorly thought-out proposal."
Of the 42 speakers, the vast majority favored the marina. Funding comes from federal Community Development Block Grants, and FEMA is paying for construction of the new pier itself. Proponents had urged the council to accept the funding, which allows a marina at no initial cost to the city. Most of the pro-marina speakers at the meeting were members of the business community and of the Bay Area Recovery Team. The late Jody Compretta, a BART member,
was among the earliest marina advocates.
"We really need this to move forward with this city," Realtor Avra O'Dwyer said.
"When you're offered a gift, I think the nicest thing you can do is say 'thank you' and take it," said Nell Frisbie, another local Realtor.
Developer Chet LeBlanc, chairman of the city's Harbor Commission, said marina advocates had worked since 2007 to push the idea forward. "Every hoop that was out there, we jumped through," he said.
Bay resident Ames Kergosien said he had been worried about sand buildup and dredging needs for a harbor, but his concerns had been satisfied. "Let's go with it," he said.
Some concern was expressed that plans for another, 283-slip marina at the proposed Riverwalk development on the Jourdan River could diminish demand for slips at a city marina. However, consultant Michael Herman, of Moffatt & Nichol, discounted that possibility. "The market is plenty big to support both projects," he said.
"We're all going to benefit. I think it's a win-win situation," said Henry Martinez, a local construction company owner.
The other side
Opposing speakers questioned the scope of the marina and other project aspects.
"This project is fiscal folly," said Judy Reeves, a former commodore of the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club. "I just think the project is not well considered. I think it's way too big." She also feared that operating and dredging costs could eventually lead to city tax increases.
Jim Mallini feared the marina, as planned, would be an elitist institution catering only to the rich. He questioned current plans for no commercial fishing activities to be conducted in the marina. "Is it just for the business people, or is it for the whole population of Bay St. Louis?" he said.
Camille Tate said the proposed slip fees are too high, and the lack of a boat launch will restrict marina use to wealthy owners of large boats. "We need to bring in people and tourists, and not just two people on a yacht," Tate said.
Retired businessman Carroll Gordon, who has long cited faults with a proposed marina plan, noted that meetings of the harbor commission have consistently been held behind closed doors. "It struck me there's some kind of compulsive need to keep the public out of this," he said.
Rachael Ramsey said the council didn't have all the information necessary to commit to a marina plan. "If this is such a great idea,get the details before you sign the papers," she said.
Councilman Bill Taylor read aloud from a letter by Ryan LaFontaine, a Bay resident, former newspaper reporter, and public information officer for the City of Gulfport.
The letter cited numerous problems the city suffers, including no grocery store, an "architectural nightmare" being built on Main Street, road projects that never seem to end, and the current shambled state of the Cedar Point area.
"With all this necessary work still to be done, discussing a lofty harbor project that we cannot afford is a slap in the face to the people of Bay St. Louis," LaFontaine wrote.
Councilman Joey Boudin was first among council members to commit to a marina vote, but expressed concern because no boat launch facilities are included in the marina plans. Engineer Jason Chiniche, of Brown & Mitchell, promised to study the possibility of including boat launches. "We'll fit it in the best we can," he said.
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