PETERSBURG – Qualified voters in Petersburg will be asked to weigh-in on development of the Scow Bay fishing yard, and decide whether to authorize the Borough to put $500,000 down on the project, a fraction of the total cost but a concise statement that would turn the discussed expansion into a reality.
Four members voted in favor and one against a decision to pass the spending question to voters, which asks if the city should use $500,000 of the Economic Fund --- a job-creation and economic development account --- to help build a small vessel haul out and boat yard at Scow Bay.
“I am really in support of this plan,” said Assembly Member Jeff Meucci. “In a time where we are looking for some economic development, this is going to be a good opportunity to maybe help us get there.”
John Murgas, the owner of Island Ventures LLC, has been vested in the project. Although the project is in its early stages, the concept is based in part on his use of hydraulic trailers for hauling up to 45 ton vessels on the Scow Bay turnaround, he said.
“The combination of the Scow Bay turnaround basin, geography and physical specifications of our commercial fleet are unique,” Murgas said. “And, to my knowledge, unmatched in North America.”
“Development of the Scow Bay turnaround as a vessel haul facility is long overdue. I commend the Petersburg Economic Council for taking on this project,” he continued.
The half-a-million is a down payment to show grant foundations that Petersburg will spend its money on the project, said Liz Cabrera, the Community Development director. The United States Economic Development Administration often requires communities to match 25 percent of the money it grants. The $500,000 is a quarter of the $2 million grant that Cabrera plans to aim for.
“That’s one of the grants we are looking at,” Cabrera said. “Others don’t have the type of match requirement, but matches are certainly encouraged.”
A $2 million grant would only cover the earthwork portion of the project, Cabrera said, as the projected total cost is more than $7 million. Grants and public-private partnerships would likely avoid a tax increase to pay for it, Cabrera said.
The proposed expansion would add a concrete ramp at eight percent elevation, along with a heated wash down pad, a boarding float alongside the ramp and water treatment facilities. It will widen the uplands from one acre to two for additional space to maintain boats, along with extended breakwater for a future deep-water dock, said Dick Somerville, the principal civil engineer who developed the concept of the project.
Bob Lynn was the only member to oppose the $500,000 request. He cited a possibility of mounting costs that the Harbor and Borough might not be able to cover. Further, there are other facilities situated at Scow Bay, he said. The Fire Department has stations there, and until those are moved, Lynn ‘guaranteed’ a clash between the department and boat traffic if Scow Bay is expanded.
“I really believe there needs to be a management plan,” Lynn said, “And right now we don’t have one.”
Cabrera, who is a leader of the project, responded to Lynn’s objection.
“Assembly Member Lynn has his opinions,” she said. “He is entitled to them.”
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