Investors report cleanup, contractor selection nearing for Bridge Harbor marina in Freeport
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Summary
An investor updated the Board of Adjustment on progress at Bridge Harbor Yacht Club, reporting debris removal, fenced security, about 40 problem boats and near-term contractor selection; city staff said contractors are preparing demolition and dock-permitting questions remain.
At a Board of Adjustment meeting, investor Ryan Cade said redevelopment work at Bridge Harbor Yacht Club — which he also referred to as Bridal Harbor — is moving forward and that his group is close to selecting a contractor to begin demolition and cleanup.
Cade, who identified himself as living at 620 Bridal Bailey Boulevard and said he is “part of the investment group that bought Bridge Harbor Yacht Club,” told the board the project is large and “we continue to be super excited about it.” He said the team has hired divers to inspect submerged structures and has found material and conditions that require specialized demolition equipment, plus “some minor maintenance dredging.”
The investor said one of the chief operational challenges is the vessels around the docks. “We’ve got close to 40 boats that, either we can’t contact ownership or they’ve been abandoned or ownership’s deceased,” Cade said, adding that some owners do not respond because they fear financial claims. “But we’re trying to figure out how to get those boats out so that we can start the demolition project.”
Shelby, a city staff member who gave the staff update, said she and a colleague met with the contractor candidates and that bidders have questions about pilings, removals and required permits for dock demolition. Shelby said a significant number of boats have already been removed and that Dock F has been fully vacated and secured after evictions. She described a security gate and fencing at the property and said contractors are working through how to handle sunken and parked boats.
Shelby said the fees and costs for the dock work have risen as crews discover more items to remove, and that coordinating permits and bids has lengthened the timeline. “There has been progress and there has been talks. It’s just a long process because they have to go through so many different avenues,” she said.
Cade told the board the investor group is focused on doing the work correctly and in phases if necessary, and invited board members to visit the secured site by contacting him directly. “We are working every day towards our goal of creating something really great,” he said. “We’re going to put something out there that Freeport’s gonna be really proud of.”
The board did not take formal action on the marina project during the meeting; the remarks were part of the public-comment/update portion of the agenda and staff said they will continue to report on permits and demolition progress in future meetings.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the meeting minutes for Jan. 23, 2025, earlier in the session; no board votes were taken on the marina update itself.
Community members and staff indicated progress, but staff cautioned that dock demolition, removal of sunken vessels and permitting will take additional time and coordination with contractors.
