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Parks panel asks staff to study feasibility of boathouse for Skyline Crew and Washtenaw Rowing Center
Summary
The Parks Advisory Commission unanimously recommended staff assess whether a boathouse for Skyline High School Crew and Washtenaw Rowing Center could be sited on city park property east of Barton Dam, directing staff to pursue planning, legal and water-resource feasibility analyses and return later this year with findings.
The Parks Advisory Commission voted to ask parks staff to assess the feasibility of a partnership with Skyline High School Crew and Washtenaw Rowing Center to develop a boathouse on city park property east of the Barton Dam.
Parks Manager Josh Landefeld told the commission staff had conducted initial internal checks and found possibilities but not a definitive yes or no. "What we need to do is do our full due diligence, to look into the site, understanding what are the limitations, what are the opportunities," Landefeld said.
Commissioners heard that Skyline Crew has been seeking a new home because of uncertainty at their current base at Concordia University. The proposed site is an underused parcel of the Barton Nature Area near the dam. Staff said a feasibility assessment would involve coordination with internal city departments—legal, planning and water resources—and could also consider alternate city-owned riverfront properties if the Barton site proves infeasible.
Commissioners discussed precedent and partnership models. Parks staff noted there are existing boathouse partnerships along the Huron River, including facilities at Argo used by the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Rowing Club, and said the city has handled similar long-term agreements before. Commissioner Alexa said she supported moving the conversation forward and asked how the city would manage future partnership requests; Landefeld said the evaluation would include consideration of long-term agreements and stewardship.
The commission passed a resolution authorizing staff to proceed with the feasibility assessment; Commissioner Vince moved the resolution and Therese seconded. Staff said the next step is a deeper site analysis and development of a potential agreement to return to PAC later this year. The recommendation will help prospective funders and donors for Skyline and Washtenaw Rowing Center understand that the city is pursuing the matter with formal study and potential next steps.
No specific timeline for completion of the feasibility assessment or estimated costs were provided at the meeting. Staff told the commission the work would be integrated into normal departmental workflows and would include outreach to relevant departments and stakeholders.
