Deep-water marina project put on hold as grant opportunities shrink

Staff updated meeting participants on the deep-water marina feasibility and funding outlook and recommended pausing the project because multiple grant programs supporting the work have been reduced or canceled.

Gail presented the update and summarized outside research reporting sharp reductions in grant availability. Gail said the FEMA BRIC award that would have funded habitat islands and shoreline protection was “totally canceled,” and summarized reported grant reductions as: EPA 55% reduction, “NOIA” 19%, Department of Interior 31% and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 44% (as described in the presentation). Gail said the effort had been “grant driven” and recommended putting the marina project on hold until funding improves or a private investor emerges.

Gail described two preferred locations from the feasibility study. The Sea Ranch location was described as the preferred site by grant reviewers because it would be less environmentally disruptive and could include habitat-island work; a second, more complex location near the causeway or a 12-acre tract (referred to in the meeting as the Schwartz Track) is privately owned and would be more challenging. Gail noted permitting and study work carry significant costs: a feasibility study was cited at roughly $60,000 and the permitting stage could reach about $500,000.

Board members discussed alternatives, including acquiring or receiving donated land and building a reserve fund. Gail said the board already budgeted $200,000 this year toward the project to cover the county portion previously committed and suggested the city set aside an ongoing reserve so the project could move faster if funds return.

No action was taken to proceed immediately; the recommendation was to pause active project work and consider creating or continuing a reserve fund for future development.