Gallatin Marina Faces Revenue Decline Amid Controversial Dock Expansion Proposal

Gallatin's City Council is facing significant community pushback regarding a proposed marina development that could drastically impact local waterways and traffic. During a recent meeting, concerns were raised about the potential addition of 253 new boat slips, which many residents believe could threaten the viability of existing marinas and exacerbate traffic issues in the area.

Currently, Gallatin Marina has 23 open slips available, having discontinued boat rentals due to declining revenue, which has seen a drop of 35% to 40% this summer compared to the last two years. Cherokee Marina is in a similar situation, with 30 open slips and no boat rentals, also struggling with revenue. Both marinas have received preliminary approvals for expansions, but the local sentiment is that these developments could lead to financial strain on existing facilities.

Critics of the proposed marina expansion argue that the environmental assessments conducted were inadequate, claiming they overestimated boat registration growth by including registrations from surrounding counties while only considering slips on Old Hickory Lake. This oversight, they argue, fails to account for the existing 950 slips in the area, raising fears that the new development could bankrupt nearby marinas.

The council was informed that there are 17 residents from the Fox, Fairview, and Douglas Bend neighborhoods who have formally opposed the development. They expressed concerns about traffic impacts and the lack of a comprehensive traffic study that includes access to the proposed boat ramp at Station Camp Creek Access. Residents urged the council to limit the project to fewer than 100 docks and require the developer to construct a separate launch ramp to alleviate potential congestion.

As the council deliberates on the marina proposal, the community remains vigilant, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the environmental and traffic implications of such a significant development. The outcome of this decision could have lasting effects on the local economy and the quality of life for residents in the surrounding areas.