What is the future of the Fifth Street Marina in Augusta?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Property and business owners at the Fifth Street Marina are concerned about the city shutting off power and water to make some repairs.
It could lead to the store shutting down and boats leaving.
The boats at the dock aren’t just for sailing. Many of them are homes, with some having lived here for decades.
“I have to have heat, I have to have air. That thing will heat up like a tin can. I came home the other day from a doctor’s appointment, I’d been gone less than an hour, and it was 95 degrees in there already and it was a cool day,” said Kenneth Kehr Jr., who’s been living in his boat at the dock for 22 years.
The 5th Street Marina says they requested repairs from the city to fix wiring and plumbing issues. For six months, no one heard a peep from the city.
That’s why everyone who relies on the marina was surprised to hear in a meeting Monday that water and power would turn off during these renovations, possibly as soon as a couple of weeks from now.
Following Tuesday’s commission meeting, Interim Takiyah Douse said: “While there is a lot being circulated surrounding the Augusta Marina, staff is still reviewing documentation that has been received by our consultants. Once a final decision has been received, after a full analysis has taken place, we will make certain to make a recommendation to the commission.”
In response, 5th Street Marina Co-Owner, Francis Christian, said: “I’m not surprised she’s backtracking right now, but in our meeting on Monday, her recommendation was to disconnect the power.”
While it’s unclear when this issue could come up in commission, we reached out to the city and they say Douse was unavailable on Wednesday to answer further questions on what the future holds for this space.
Gabe Labele, who runs Two Dudes and a Boat Kayak Rentals, said: “This is our livelihood. It’s like when you take a picture of someone and they’re missing teeth, this is like a part of Augusta. Every single picture of Augusta has the Marina in it.”
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