Three proposals were heard, all with varying degrees of development and retail opportunities. Councilmembers did not make a decision that night, choosing instead to think the proposals over further and to allow for the possibility of the public being able to view the presentations.
Anchor and Axle Co.
The first presentation for the riverwalk came from Anchor and Axle Co. and included three phases. Phase one included a marina store and dry storage facility. This is supposed to “address the immediate needs” on the Blackwater River. The marina store proposed would sell boating essentials, fishing gear, beer, wine and to-go refreshments and family-friendly products for riverfront activities. The dry storage would house boats and recreational vehicles, and include security like fence repair, electronic gate access for storage tenants and 24/7 camera monitoring. During phase two, the company would add 10 new wet slips. Finally, phase three would establish a waterfront patio and a food truck park, and the marina store would add waterfront activity rentals like kayaking and paddleboarding.
Jones South
The second proposal, from Jones South, would establish a boardwalk to connect the marina with a future downtown boardwalk. Their concept included a restaurant with a event/patio deck, a marina store, fuel station, event space, dry boat storage and wet slips. Residential parcels were included in the plan, luxury single-family residences with marina access and the potential for private boat dock access.
Simmons, Loftis and Dunne
The third and final proposal was courtesy of Fred Simmons, John Loftis and Thomas Dunne, an entity which did not have an official business name listed in their proposal. Their plan featured a clubhouse building with bathrooms, a laundry room and an office, a pool, drop-off slips and docs, a dog park, food truck area, a seawall with a boardwalk, new docks with a place for boat rental, a floating ship store and fuel dock, kayak and canoe launches, dock expansions, a pavilion with seating next to bocce ball and pickleball areas and an RV park at the center of the build.
