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County-run marina makes sense

Pinellas County doesn't operate any marinas, but that may change soon. Early next month the County Commission will decide whether to spend $23-million to purchase the Tierra Verde Hi and Dry Marina, a 20-year-old facility in South Pinellas. Assuming further research confirms the marina is in good shape and the financial plan makes sense, this is a practical move to meet a public need.

Two trends have led the county to consider buying or building marinas. Pinellas has more registered pleasure boats than any county in Florida - more than 50,000 and rising - and boat owners recently have lobbied county officials to provide more public launching facilities. At the same time, commercial marinas are being snatched up by developers for conversion to condominiums, leaving fewer places where boaters can store, service and launch their boats.

When county staff learned that Tierra Verde Hi and Dry was on the market, they hired a forensic auditor, who reported back Nov. 10 that the marina could pay for itself. They found the marina was under contract to be sold early next month to two Clearwater businessmen, but in quick negotiations over the Veterans Day holiday they won the right to move into the buyers' position for a payment of $1.8-million. At the Nov. 15 County Commission meeting, after a late discussion not on the published agenda, commissioners voted unanimously to enter a contractual two-week inspection period. On Dec. 6, commissioners are scheduled to vote whether to buy the marina or walk away.

The marina at 100 Pinellas Bayway provides easy access to both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Its boat storage building has two bays, two lifts and racks for 336 boats. It has 82 wet slips (with permits to add 28 more), a restaurant and fuel depot. The 11-acre property also includes 4 acres of submerged lands leased from the state and 4 acres occupied by a shopping center and gas station.

Such quick dealings by governments justifiably raise eyebrows, but with waterfront land prices escalating and most private marinasPinellas has more registered pleasure boats than any county in Florida.

already sold or under contract, the county has no time to spare. However, the tight turnaround, combined with the county's lack of experience in marina operations, means the county staff will have to work overtime to reassure the public and commissioners that every contingency has been explored. County Administrator Steve Spratt seems sensitive to that need and has summoned outside experts in finance, commercial leasing, boating and marina operations to inspect the property.

Is the marina shipshape? Can its purchase be covered entirely by fees collected on the property, without obligating general revenue needed for other county services? Is the business thriving? If so, then this is a reasonable plan to help ensure boaters and the general public continue to have access to the water.

[Last modified November 28, 2005, 01:04:15]