Published: May 14, 2008 01:00 am            

NORTH TONAWANDA: Council wavers on city marina

Plans for the city marina are on the rocks as recommendations mount for a more thorough evaluation of the property.

City engineer Dale Marshall and Joseph Fonzi, an engineer and member of the North Tonawanda Waterfront Commission, brought numerous structural issues to the Common Council Tuesday night.

The two men agreed uneven terrain, handicapped accessibility and steelworks damaged from annual freezing and thawing, among other things, all mean opening the marina — even on a limited basis – would waste money and potentially pose dangers to users.

The mayor’s office wants to get the project moving, while making repairs on the fly. Members of the council, including City Attorney Shawn Nickerson, said they are worried about the liability issues that could result.

“I heard from two engineers this evening who told the council that indeed they shouldn’t open it,” Council President Brett Sommer said.

Jeff Mis, administrative assistant to Mayor Larry Soos, said he has been promoting the project, along with the mayor for some time, all under the impression the council would provide fiscal support.

“The mayor’s plan was to maximize its use this summer, so that we don’t take another hit financially,” Mis said, citing non-budgetary expenditures required to sustain the marina. “The council indicated that they would have money budgeted. People have been calling, wanting to rent the slips.”

Among the city’s options for the property are to collect seasonal slip fees in order to generate revenue while improvements are made, lease it to another party or sell it.

Nickerson agreed certain elements, such as “sink holes” on the grounds would have to be repaired, regardless of what the city decides to do.

Mis said he is in favor of getting the project started, and opening the marina this season, even at partial capacity.

Sommer and others on the council recommended that a comprehensive plan be adopted, and perhaps a committee created to finish the job in a predetermined way.

Fonzi was in favor of opening certain of the docks — those in working order— but said he wouldn’t recommend fixing anything else before a plan was in place.

Jerome Whitehead, recreation director, said he’d be the one running it.

“I had concerns there because of the sinkholes and I wouldn’t open a park under those conditions,” he said.

A final decision on the time frame for opening the marina is pending.



Contact reporter Neale Gulleyat 693-1000, ext. 114.

        

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