The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Port seeks proposals for marina operator
A new marina operator could take over dock duties at one of the Lorain major waterfront hubs. The Lorain Port Authority will seek expressions of interest to manage and develop the current Spitzer Lakeside Marina facility, the 600-dock marina at 301 Lakeside Landing, sitting at the mouth of the Black River on the water. On Feb. 12, the Port board heard about plans to find an operator for the site. “The primary goal is to identify an operator for the marina through a lease agreement with the Lorain Port Authority,” said a project description introduced by Port Executive Director Tom Brown. “Lease terms will be negotiated and will be based on a multitude of factors, including initial investment and business plan. “Operators shall be able to demonstrate experience in marina operations and financial capability.” The marina was built through a 1988 public-private development agreement with the Port Authority and the Spitzer Group; the contract expires at the end of 2019. Along with 600 docks, the marina complex has two buildings, one with the Jackalope restaurant and a gift shop, another with a marina office, maintenance area and storage. “The site offers a protected harbor with quick access to Lake Erie fishing, sailing or pleasure boating, views of the historic Lorain Lighthouse and spectacular sunsets,” the Port summary said. The Port was scheduled to publish the request for expressions of interest Feb. 15. “We’re going to try to blast it out as much as possible in the next week or two,” Brown said. Nonbinding proposals are due March 22. Once the proposals are submitted, a negotiation period will run until April 12. “Then we can pick and choose who we’d like to negotiate with,” Brown said. “So we would set up a committee and sit down with some developers and or operators, and try to strike our best deal. “Then we would finalize the deal and the lease and off we go.” Brown said he anticipated the process will include in-person interviews with the operators.
The developer
The project could be awarded April 19, with the next lease to start Jan. 1, 2020. The Port is hoping to get information such as a business plan, financial statement, proposed term and payments of the lease, proposed improvements and budget detailing investments and the developer’s background in marina operations and development. Larger developers are not as desirous of requests for proposals right now, but have been responsive to requests for expressions of interest, Brown said. “I’ve had people very, very interested, who want to take a deep dive into the project, but I’ve told them to hold off until we advertise it, in all fairness,” he said. Port board Chairman Brad Mullins asked about the number of potential prospects. Brown estimated the Port could see a half dozen potential operators, ranging from “lower level” to “operator” to “development groups.” “People are noticing waterfront property, people are noticing the asset that’s there,” Brown said. Being able to come into a lease at a marina that’s already built is an asset, he said. Spitzer Marinas maintains a website with information about the Lakeside and Riverside marinas, where boaters can choose “one of the preeminent marinas on Lake Erie.” Spitzer Group representatives are aware the Port will seek proposals, Brown said. Spitzer Group would like to get an extension to operate the marina, he said. “But I explained to them, like any other asset, we’re going to try to get a better deal for the Port and the citizens,” Brown said. “So, we’ll be respectful about it, and I think this is a respectful process, and I’m 100 percent sure they’re going to put a proposal together and we’ll vet that proposal just like every other proposal that’s given to us.” The marina docks extend off Lorain’s East Pier, also known as the Mile Long Pier, which is a popular site for residents and visitors to watch sunsets and photograph the Lorain Lighthouse.
Public access
With marina proposals, residents should not expect a plan for a gate across the pier or the Lakeside Landing driveway. “When we’re looking for development, we’ve always been advocates of public access,” and that will continue, Brown said.