Several residents at the community workshop questioned conceptual designs for redevelopment of the downtown marina uplands, especially the inclusion of commercial and residential uses on prime waterfront land.

Judy Stapleton asked why the city would use “prime marina property for retail and residential” when there are vacant buildings elsewhere downtown. City officials replied that the city owns the uplands and does not control privately owned downtown parcels, and that private investment on the uplands is a way to fund marina infrastructure improvements without a large general‑fund subsidy.

City leaders said earlier renderings are conceptual and that public input and revised designs are forthcoming. “What you're gonna see is that the designs that you currently see... are probably 4 years old now,” one official said, and staff emphasized that the commission has committed to retaining and improving the downtown boat ramp.

Officials described a financing challenge: maintaining and rebuilding wet slips and bulkhead infrastructure is expensive, and in past eras revenue from upland commercial development helped pay marina bonds. The city said it may seek a public‑private partner to construct slips and upland amenities and that a mix of retail and residential is commonly used by developers to provide diversified revenue streams and nighttime occupancy to increase safety.

Speakers asked that any future process be public and phased. Officials promised open houses and public meetings with the partner team and said staff would aim for incremental, visible projects rather than wholesale change.

Ending: Officials said they will expand public outreach, reaffirmed commitment to a downtown boat ramp, and described a policy tradeoff: without upland revenue the city would need to allocate larger general‑fund amounts to repair and improve marina infrastructure.