Port, city sign agreement on marina

After months of wrangling between Port commissioners and city administrators, the City Council on Sept. 25 approved an agreement with the Port of Bremerton that will not include covered moorage in the proposed marina.

Mayor Cary Bozeman, City Council members and citizens have dug in their heals against the sheds because they would block views.

Additionally, design firm OPUS said they would detract from the conference center’s economic feasibility.

The new agreement means people who walk down to the waterfront of the new conference center will be able to see a stretch of blue water with boat masts rather than two-story tall sides of metal sheds.

Design plans indicate the marina will meet the conference center plaza at the water, so a resident can walk from the center down to boat docks.

Early on, port commissioners expressed the economic value of permanent boat covers. They said people line up for months in advance to rent one, and contended they would provide steady income.

One remaining aspect of covered moorage yet to be decided is whether it will be included in the area north of Second Street, and extended eastward.

The Port can still apply for covered moorage in that area, but council members ardently oppose the idea.

“It’s too early to deal with that issue,” said Economic Development Director Gary Sexton at a City Council meeting.

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