[B]URLINGTON — The Queen City is one step closer to making changes along the waterfront that could attract more boaters.
The Board of Finance voted unanimously last week to recommend the City Council approve the Burlington Harbor Marina project development agreement as proposed. The agreement outlines the construction of a marina with 160 boat slips and a park between the Coast Guard station and the fishing pier.
The $7 million project would combine public and private money, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. It is part of the public investments action plan, which established public works projects throughout the city, according to the city’s website.
The board discussed the agreement briefly before voting at its meeting June 13. Changes to the agreement were made before the meeting based on discussions and recommendations during private council executive meetings, said council President Jane Knodell, P-Central District.
The park and its parking lot along the marina would be paid for with $800,000 in public money, according to the agreement. The marina itself would be financed by two private developers, Chuck Deslauriers and Jack Wallace, who have committed $6.2 million to the project under a 40-year agreement with the city to use the marina’s space.
The public voted to put $500,000 in public funds toward the development of the marina in 2014. The additional $300,000 to be used is left over from various other projects in the public investment plan, according to the administration.
If the council approves the development agreement, the city can begin seeking the necessary permits from the Development Review Board and state and federal agencies.
Construction is expected to be finished sometime in 2018, according to the mayor’s office.
Burlington is the largest city on Lake Champlain but has the ninth-largest marina. That deters potential visitors during the summer, the mayor said. In addition to slips, the marina would have pump-out facilities and other services for boaters, and a waÂter taxi stand.
The council is set to vote on the development agreement June 27 in Contois Hall at 7 p.m.
