MARINA DEL REY — To build or to not build a 345-slip dry dock boat storage above federal waters in Marina del Rey: that was the question at the heart of a public meeting held at Burton Chace Park Community Center on May 10.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is...
4 Responses
This highly controversial project has been languishing for over 13 years since it was first proposed and is still years from happening. MDR has changed dramatically over this time and sufficient boater demand for this type of facility no longer exists; especially in light of the tremendous number of vacant wet slips of the same size in the Marina. Boat Central is not economically viable and sets a dangerous precedence for building a 100-foot structure out over the harbor. The real issue to consider is not whether it will fail, but what will the County do with this hulking monstrosity once it does fail? It’s time to re-think this project and use this land for improved public boater access based upon current boater needs and requirements.
I agree with the over development objections and oppose the stacked storage. A fish cleaning station is a better addition. The stack storage hours would conflict with fishing by its operating hrs causing delays to fishermen to get to boating destinations for pre dawn fishing. There are times when a gray light bite is the only opportunity for catching a target fish like Sea Bass.
The USACE is NOtT proposing to build the BoT Central project.
It is charged with review of the impacts of this project for its impacts on the Public Interest, in conjunction with a permit application for construction of the project elements that fall within Federal jurisdiction (in and over the wTer).
Dry stack boat may be a good solution for MdR, but 350 ultra-luxe slots for powerboats staging immediately adjacent to the Public Launch Ramp is a recipe for unpleasant and potentially disastrous boating outcomes.
Not to mention the impact of a solid wall over 300′ long and 70′ high upwind of, and nearly perpendicular to, the prevailing wind in the harbor.
There is no wind study for this project. To disrupt thousands of Launch Ramp users, and displace thousands more sportfishermen, harbor tour and yacht charter patrons, bicyclists and other recreational users for a speculative up-market use by an unidentified clientele, without at least conducting a site- specific wind study, is a dereliction of public duty, despite the assertions of the Private Affairs Officer quoted above
The location of this Boat Rack type business could easily be in one of the other water side locations. The tight impact to the Launch Ramp and the Sheriff boats is a big issue that the USACE must address. The smaller gap and lack of turning radius is a serious issue. Flow of traffic out of the marina is the USACE domain. They need to really think through the activity of the boats. With a boat tied to the end of the launch ramp and tied to the side of the new proposed docks there will be scarcely room for the Sheriff boat to get out. Least of all if there are wind issues or a emergency.
As a long time boater in MDR I like the idea of more facilities for small boaters to get into and out of Marina Del Rey. But the economy of the community has changed. Few have room in their driveway for a boat. And if you keep your small boat in the new “Boat Central” rack you can not make a change and launch at the location closest to the fishing or play you are craving. And once you place your boat in the rack… Then what do you do with the trailer? MDR has lost it’s small boat service location at SeaMark (end of G) to a new Trader Joes. And the other service vendor Regency Boats who used to pick up small boats at the launch ramp is moving away for cheaper rents. How will small boaters keep access to Marina Del Rey? I’m not sure. But with the scares of moving the Launch Ramp and now here with this big boxy boat house to crowd the end of the channel it will be less and less welcoming.
I look at the plans. I wonder where the autos with trailers attached will park. I think the loss of the vital last free parking of MDR now used to take people out on Whale Watching tours or affordable fishing trips on the New Del Mar and the Betty-O will be a terrible loss.
That last free parking in the marina is serving a vital key in helping people affordably reach the Santa Monica Bay and the Ocean.