The transient boat dock that has received negative public feedback is dead in the water, at least for now, though discussions will continue and it could be revisited in the future. Other city projects, including the indoor sports complex, are expected to move forward after a temporary delay.
In December, the Owensboro City Commission was scheduled to vote on a 20-year, $44.9 million bond that would have funded the boat dock and sports complex, among other projects. They delayed approval, in part saying it was due to feedback about the boat dock. That put all those projects on hold.
On Tuesday, the City Commission heard the first reading of an ordinance to move forward with a 20-year, $35.3 million bond that includes everything except the dock. That covers the indoor sports facility ($19 million), Fire Station #3 replacement ($6.7M), fire training center ($5M), Fisher Park light poles ($1.4M), and various projects ($3M).
“(The boat dock) required majority support, so at least three in favor, and that did not happen,” City Manager Nate Pagan said.
Mayor Tom Watson and Commissioner Mark Castlen have firmly opposed the boat dock, while Commissioners Larry Maglinger and Bob Glenn have been staunch supporters. Former Commissioner Jeff Sanford was on board with the project, which mean in August the votes were 3-2 in favor of moving forward with the project.
Pam Smith-Wright, who was elected in November to replace Sanford on the Commission, now holds the tie-breaking vote — and she wants to gather more information before making a final decision.
Smith-Wright said when the discussions of the bonds came up, she couldn’t vote yes because she wasn’t privy to the conversations the Commissioners had over the last year.
And after discussing with constituents, she ultimately voted not to support the boat dock — for now.
“I am not completely opposed to the boat dock, because that boat dock was in the original plan for the downtown revitalization, and I was there when all that happened,” Smith-Wright said.
She said that while many people in the city believe there isn’t a need for a boat dock, it’s hard to say it won’t attract boaters if it were to be built.
“Maybe if we have a boat dock, we might be flooded with people. People aren’t coming here now because they don’t have anywhere to get gas. They don’t have anywhere to do any of the stuff they need. So I can’t say that we should never think about this,” she said.
Maglinger and Glenn both hope to fulfill the final part of the Downtown Revitalization plans that were made years ago.
“The City is in excellent fiscal shape so we felt this was the optimum time to make this investment. I’m saddened that it has been tabled for now. But the city has other major projects that we can’t afford to wait on as well,” Glenn said.
Maglinger noted that the plan is not completely off the table and he is hopeful it will be discussed again.
“It’s just a matter of taking a look at it again, and seeing the best way to find it and make it happen,” Maglinger said.
Castlen considers this a win for his constituents and Owensboro, though he noted he’s not against some type of boat dock at some point.
“I do feel that we need a boat dock,” he said. “We just don’t need a $10 million boat dock, and I believe it will probably come up again in the future.”
