Fairhope Docks Showing First "Profit"

Fairhope, Alabama


Fairhope Docks on Fly Creek


BECOMING FINANCIALLY SELF SUSTAINING

Revenue from fuel sales, slip rent, and even selling ice more than offset daily operational costs at the city's marina on Fly Creek for the first time; any excess revenue (over costs) are put back into improvements/maintenance needs there.

new fueling station
The city took over management of the marina about two years ago from Eastern Shore Marine and began selling fuel itself using a new tank installed about a year ago with that as a goal (sustainability); the city makes about $1 on every gallon of fuel sold with pricing competitive with the nearby Dog River marina. 

Docks Manager Sean Seay said he had manned the fuel pumping station himself over the July 4th holiday: "We're over the break even point now ... looks like we are going to show a profit ... had a 70% slip occupancy rate over the 4-day holiday."

City Special Projects Manager Lyn Maser said 159,550 gallons of fuel (gasoline and diesel) had been sold through June with a "profit" of about $152K; she projected total profit at $212K for the fiscal year (ending September 30).

3,355 gallons were sold over the busy July 4th holiday weekend alone, she said.

No figures were available for usage of the sewage pump out station ($5/use).


FRESH SEAFOOD AVAILABLE TOO

The shrimp boat Captain Sam B, (Heritage Seafood LLC - click) is actually selling shrimp off their boat there; ice for preservation is sold in the city's office.


MAYOR'S COMMENTS

Mayor Wilson commented later: "The Fairhope Docks performing this well in a short period of time since taking it over is exciting news. It will only get better."


CONSULTANT TO BE SOUGHT 

The committee also passed a resolution to appoint two members to approach the city council about hiring a consultant  (fee about $10K) to help them decide what top do with the property formerly leased by Eastern Shore Marine.

Options include another boat repair yard, a dry boat storage facility, or a combination of the two.


OTHER MATTERS

* Skip Jones was unanimously re-elected as harbor committee chairman.
* Repairs to 'G dock' should begin in October


July 2019 Fairhope Harbor Board meeting.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This is wonderful! I am so happy that this worked out so well for the City. We are fortunate to have Skip Jones in any capacity. Kudos to Mayor Wilson for taking on this project and making a success of it!
Anonymous said…
New to the area myself, purchased a boat, love the view thank you to Mayor Wilson for your hard work.