Posted on February 6, 2018
By Betsy Scott, The News-Herald
Local, state and federal officials may collaborate on a new study involving the Mentor Lagoons Marina.
The latest analysis — estimated to cost $700,000 — would determine the feasibility of a project to protect the Mentor Harbor channel at the lagoons.
The work would reconfigure the channel to improve boater safety and remove a sunken barge partially impeding boat traffic.
The next step toward undertaking the feasibility study is a cost-sharing agreement among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the local project sponsors — the city of Mentor, Mentor Harbor Yachting Club and the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority.
The study is anticipated to take two to three years, said Peter K. Zahirsky, the Port Authority’s director of coastal development
The Army Corps automatically pays the first $100,000 and the remainder is split between the Corps and the local sponsors, so the local sponsors each would contribute about $100,000, he said.
The construction cost is estimated between $1.7 million and $2 million, according to a Determination of Federal Interest in the project in 2013.
“However, one component of the feasibility study will be a more intensive engineering/structural analysis to determine the best design alternative, which will include a more precise cost determination,” Zahirsky said.
If the study supports the project’s feasibility, federal funding would be sought for construction.
“Usually these DFI projects come with 80 percent federal funding and 20 percent local match,” Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak said.
City Council is anticipated to discuss feasibility study participation at a work session Feb. 6.
The channel project was among priorities identified in a 2014 study by Abonmarche of Benton Harbor, Michigan, in conjunction with CT Consultants. The firms were paid $12,960 to assess the facility’s condition, the regional market, the marina’s place within the market, and to provide cost estimates for needed maintenance and upgrades.
In March 2016, the city received results of another marina market analysis from The Danter Company of Columbus and CT Consultants. It offered several options ranging from preservation to residential development.
Source: The News-Herald
