New marina has Power Squadron members asking questions

9/12/2006

A closer look at plans for the new Glass City Municipal Marina raised nearly as many questions as it answered for members of the Toledo Power Squadron.

A slide show outlining plans for the completed project was presented at the group's September meeting by Jim Bell, an architect with the Bowling Green-based Poggemeyer Design Group and member of the project design team.

Other speakers included Michael White, city commissioner of engineering-new project development, and Don Smith, with Brenner Marine.

Located on the east bank of the Maumee River, adjacent to the new I-280 bridge, the marina and a terminal for cruise ships are key components of the Marina District, Bell said.

Phase One construction, currently underway, will include a protected harbor with 76 docks ranging from 35 to 50 feet, a fuel station, water and electrical hookups and a public pump-out station.

One side of the entry channel will also serve as a dock for Great Lakes cruise ships, a daily ferry, and/or hovercraft.

Fifty-six of the docks are planned for seasonal rental and 20 will be reserved for transient boaters

Completion is scheduled for June 1, 2007, in time for next year's boating season.

A passenger terminal containing restroom and shower facilities, customs office, marine store, a classroom, and an accommodation for light refreshment, such as a tiki bar, have been proposed for Phase Two.

Ultimately, the 125-acre Marina District site could also include another 75 docks, a swimming pool and lounge area, children's play area, condominiums, a 4,000 to 6,000-seat amphitheater, an ice rink, restaurants, shops and a fishing pier.

However, all of those amenities are still in conceptual or proposal stages.

"Phase One will be open to the public and user-friendly," White said. "We hope it will be like Vermilion [Ohio] and attract transient boaters.

"The focus is on easy access to the water, and there will be parking, bike trails and a 14-foot river walk that connects the marina with International Park.

"There is no time projection for Phase Two and the passenger terminal is still under design."

The power squadron members had lots of questions about the project.

One of their major concerns was that the marina plan would leave the boats exposed to surge generated by passing freighters, pleasure boats and river current.

In response to other queries, White said there is no provision for a small boat launch or parking for recreational vehicles.

TPS members also wanted to know who would be in charge of the facility, as well as who would come there if nothing else was developed in the area.

"The marina itself is just a small part of the Marina District," he said. "We're still looking for uses for the Acme Plant, such as residential development or loft type apartments and possibly an ice house on the south side of the plant."

The public is encouraged to visit the site, White said.

"We expect a substantial amount of the construction to be completed by Nov. 1," he added.

Port Clinton Yacht Club presented its new Green Jacket award to skipper John Greiner, whose 33-foot Red Cloud was the overall winner of the performance handicap racing fleet division in the Green Island Race.

Jolly Roger Sailing Club's two-day Fall Series Regatta will open this Saturday, with classes for performance handicap, jib-and-main, keelboat one-design and cruising fleets.

Skippers may register at the club on Friday from 6-8 p.m. A competitors meeting will follow at 8:30.

Tomorrow is opening day for The North American In-Water Boat Show, booked at Sandusky's Cedar Point Marina for a five-day run that ends Sunday.

The show has been completely re-designed with connected docks that make it easier to visit the boats and a new Dockside Beer Garden overlooking the sailboat section.

The exhibition will feature nearly 700 power and sailboats.

The City of Toledo Boating Education Center is offering a safe boating course at the Ottawa Park Nature Center, last night through tomorrow, at 6 until 9.

The program will cover basic skills, including docking and rescue and rules of the waterways.

For more information, call 419-936-3848.

Contact Shirley Levy at:

slevy@theblade.com.