Dock proposal back on the table?

The city has, for decades, sought to increase access to the channel by the public, and because of funding and politics, it just hasn’t happened.”

Attorney Denis Kelly

A Freeport-based company is urging the City Council to push forward a proposal to install a floating dock in Reynolds Channel, by the Recreation Center, to establish seasonal services such as a water taxi, kayak rentals and water tours.

Sunset Bay Adventures and Watersports responded to two requests for proposals released by the city, and submitted bids for the project in April 2015 and May 2016 to build a 300-foot-long, 10-foot-wide dock about 400 feet east of the existing pier, at West Bay Drive and Magnolia Boulevard. Supporters of the project have long argued that Long Beach lacked water taxis and other amenities along the bay.

According to the RFP, the city views services along the bay as part of its overall economic development effort, and city officials have said they are looking at long-term plans to develop the bayfront’s industrial area.

In both years, Sunset Bay was the sole bidder on the project, but the plan languished after the council declined to bring the proposal to a vote. Some council members raised concerns about the scope of theproject, the financial benefits to the city, hours of operation, parking, garbage and other issues.

At the Nov. 19 meeting, Sunset Bay representatives asked the council to reconsider the project. “The city has, for decades, sought to increase access to the channel by the public, and because of funding and politics, it just hasn’t happened,” attorney Denis Kelly, who represents Sunset Bay, said at the meeting. “This would be an icebreaker. This would be an opportunity to do just that by a private entity. The city would make money from the services and the residents would benefit from it.”

Sunset Bay is looking to establish cruises and seal-watching tours as well as paddleboard and kayak rentals, among other activities. The dock would also allow the Long Beach police and fire departments access to the bay for use of their emergency rescue vessels. It could also potentially include slips for residents’ boats. A survey conducted by the Long Beach Listens website in 2016 showed that many residents would take advantage of bayfront water services, including paddleboard rentals, eco-tours and sunset cruises.

Freeport resident Patrick Nugent, president of Sunset Bay Adventures and Watersports, and Long Beach resident Brian Braddish, the company’s vice president, have spent nearly $50,000 to push the project forward, Kelly told the Herald. The company acquired permits from the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Conservation and Waterways, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the last of which is set to expire in April, according to documents Kelly provided to the Herald.

Nugent, who is also an owner of Paul Nugent and Sons Marine Construction in Freeport, said that his company would cover the $250,000 cost of building the dock. Sunset Bay would not ask the city to pay for any construction, and Kelly added that further details, like revenue and residents’ access, would have to be discussed with city officials.

Nugent also said at the November meeting that the floating dock would be put in the water in May and be removed in October.

Several residents, including Long Beach Professional Firefighters Local 287 President Sam Pinto, said they supported the project, because the dock would give emergency vessels access to the bay. Pinto noted that the dock would make the city safer.

“Our police and fire headquarters are dead center in town,” Pinto said. “To have quick access — with a larger area to access the bay — would greatly benefit the city and benefit safety.”

Other residents and organizations that have expressed support for the project include State Assemblywoman Melissa Miller and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. In a letter to the city on July 18, 2018, Miller wrote, “I believe the project will offer numerous benefits to the surrounding communities by providing residents with a water taxi service connecting them to many well-established businesses and attractions along the waterway while also serving as a rescue dock for emergency responder vessels. By approving this project, you are providing a great service to the community …”

A number of residents, however, expressed concerns about the project. Former City Councilman John McLaughlin, who lives on West Bay Drive, opposes the project’s location, by the Rec Center. “It’s not for the benefit of an outside business entity to put a marina in that area,” McLaughlin said. “That area is made for kids.”

In the past, residents have said that water taxis would turn into so-called booze cruises, ferrying drunken revelers to and from bars in Island Park and Long Beach. McLaughlin echoed those sentiments, and stressed that the area around the Rec Center, which includes a playground, is for children. He said he would not oppose a similar project by Sunset Bay in a different part of the city, and added that the city should hold a public meeting on the issue.

“My opinion is that if they really want to do something for the city, why not develop between the Long Beach Bridge and the railroad station when they put the bulkhead[ing] in — develop it and put a marina there,” McLaughlin said. “I’d be in support of that, but not in a recreation and residential area that’s densely populated like that.”

Nugent has said that Sunset Bay is not interested in running booze cruises, and that the goal is to establish “family-friendly” recreational activities. The company’s proposal stated that a dock and water taxis would not negatively impact the community.

The proposal was not included on Tuesday’s agenda. Acting City Manager John Mirando and council members John Bendo and Scott Mandel did not return calls requesting comment.