Fairhope, Alabama
TOO MUCH RED TAPE?
Plans to locate a seafood market in a city-owned building along Fly Creek (click) have fallen through, but some other business may eventually seek to locate there (a boat rental business has been mentioned).
According to informed sources, the would-be proprietors (Chip and Tony Henry) of the market may have become discouraged over all the red tape involved with leasing city property. The city had planned to pave the parking area and replace the roof; and the lease awarded to the highest bidder, according to state laws.
Having such a fishing-related commercial business located there may have given the Army Corps of Engineers cause to dredge the marina channel; but now the city and other stakeholders only will have to foot the bill.
COSTLY DREDGING NEEDED
The channel leading out into the bay needs dredging badly; and the basin and creek are filling with silt as well. The jetties out in the bay may need to be extended too, to block drifting sand.
According to the Mayor, dredging could cost anywhere from $20,000 up to $500,000 -- depending on how far the dredging goes back into the basin (Devil's Hole) and creek. He thought it may be best to proceed in stages, with the channel-clearing first.
The city purchasing, or renting ($30 -- $40K), a dredge and doing the work itself is another option according to the mayor; but currently no one with the city knows how to operate such machinery.
Mayor Kant: "... the city's not going to do all this ... we have our part ... everybody's going to have to work together ... look long term to solve the problem ... ." He said the city could wind up responsible for half of the costs.
FLY CREEK SILTATION A PROBLEM TOO
Property owners along Fly Creek have long been complaining that silt coming from new developments upstream has been filling the creek (Fly Creek Preservation Association).
Some of them sued developers of the Fly Creek PUD (aka Publix) in 2009 over the issue. That suit was ultimately settled in 2012; but no silt was removed from the creek as had been requested by a plaintiff (reportedly).
The city has proposed using BP oil spill fine money (Restore Act) to purchase land in the Fly Creek watershed to help address the long-term problem as well.
COSTS MUST BE SHARED
Both the mayor and council president Burrell emphasized that the costs of dredging the channel, basin and/or creek should not be born by the city entirely.
Mayor Kant: "... the city's not going to do all this ... we have our part ... everybody's going to have to work together ... look long term to solve the problem ... ." He mentioned the Eastern Shore Marine and Yacht Club specifically -- as well as residents along the creek.
Burrell said grants should be sought first; and the costs shared with others -- for this and all other possible upcoming capital projects:
A representative from the Yacht Club (Tom Yeager) is planning to bring a proposal to the council at a future meeeting.
TOO MUCH RED TAPE?
According to informed sources, the would-be proprietors (Chip and Tony Henry) of the market may have become discouraged over all the red tape involved with leasing city property. The city had planned to pave the parking area and replace the roof; and the lease awarded to the highest bidder, according to state laws.
Having such a fishing-related commercial business located there may have given the Army Corps of Engineers cause to dredge the marina channel; but now the city and other stakeholders only will have to foot the bill.
COSTLY DREDGING NEEDED
The channel leading out into the bay needs dredging badly; and the basin and creek are filling with silt as well. The jetties out in the bay may need to be extended too, to block drifting sand.According to the Mayor, dredging could cost anywhere from $20,000 up to $500,000 -- depending on how far the dredging goes back into the basin (Devil's Hole) and creek. He thought it may be best to proceed in stages, with the channel-clearing first.
The city purchasing, or renting ($30 -- $40K), a dredge and doing the work itself is another option according to the mayor; but currently no one with the city knows how to operate such machinery.
Mayor Kant: "... the city's not going to do all this ... we have our part ... everybody's going to have to work together ... look long term to solve the problem ... ." He said the city could wind up responsible for half of the costs.
FLY CREEK SILTATION A PROBLEM TOO
Property owners along Fly Creek have long been complaining that silt coming from new developments upstream has been filling the creek (Fly Creek Preservation Association).
Some of them sued developers of the Fly Creek PUD (aka Publix) in 2009 over the issue. That suit was ultimately settled in 2012; but no silt was removed from the creek as had been requested by a plaintiff (reportedly).
The city has proposed using BP oil spill fine money (Restore Act) to purchase land in the Fly Creek watershed to help address the long-term problem as well.
COSTS MUST BE SHARED
Both the mayor and council president Burrell emphasized that the costs of dredging the channel, basin and/or creek should not be born by the city entirely.
Mayor Kant: "... the city's not going to do all this ... we have our part ... everybody's going to have to work together ... look long term to solve the problem ... ." He mentioned the Eastern Shore Marine and Yacht Club specifically -- as well as residents along the creek.
Burrell said grants should be sought first; and the costs shared with others -- for this and all other possible upcoming capital projects:
"I think that before the city puts any money into dredging the harbor, we need to first explore opportunities for funding such as sharing the costs based on usage, and any federal or state grants which might be had. I would say the city’s usage of the harbor is a small percent of its overall usage. Councilman Ford made some good points recently about how the harbor will continue to fill up if something more long term, such as adding jetties is not undertaken. With that comes even more cost, so we’ll weigh the needs and wants of the harbor with all of the other needs and wants of the city before making any decisions.
To that end, it is important for the citizens of Fairhope to know that just because the city is discussing any particular capital project, especially large ones (such as a potential Performing Arts Center), we are thinking well beyond the city simply funding the project. We plan to explore every possible means of raising the capital in a multitude of ways prior to spending any of the taxpayer’s money, and if we cannot afford it, we will not continue to pursue it."
A representative from the Yacht Club (Tom Yeager) is planning to bring a proposal to the council at a future meeeting.
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