ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Sunset Marina in Rock Island is a little closer to getting some upgrades.
City planners presented a $4 million plan to the city council at its May 8 study session.
The plan detailed extensive improvements, such as a replacement of docks in the 400-row that would allow for 78 new slips.
However, the plan would also remove the dock 200, the maintenance dock and the docks 600 through 900.
This would make the marina smaller, reducing its slips from 395 to 222. Organizers explained the downsizing would better reflect peak usage and let them focus on improving docks that are actually used.
"In the past three years, on average, the most we've ever had occupied was about 225 slips rentals, that's at the peak season... when everybody's out boating," Rock Island Public Works director Mike Bartels said.
Boat owners said the proposed improvements are long overdue.
"I'd like to see them start doing some repairs on the docks and electrical and stuff that they've been talking about, so that they could actually bring more people back in," boat owner Bill Santee said. "I know that some people have been leaving the marina because they haven't done any repairs for a while."
The project would be funded mainly by $1.4 million in FEMA grants and $976,000 in ARPA (COVID-19 pandemic) funds. The remainder would be funded through city funds, Port District funding and other means.
However, a key condition of the FEMA grant is that the project must be paid by the city of Rock Island upfront, and then reimbursed by FEMA after the project is complete.
Another change would be increases in costs for slips, which could generate up to $170,000 in additional revenue.
Planners are hoping the project would not only bring more money to Rock Island, but also improve recreation on the water.
"We come down with a bunch of friends and go out on the boat for recreation," Santee said. "It's ideal to come down here with friends and head down around Buffalo or up into the Rock Island area."
The proposal still needs to be voted on by Rock Island city council. If approved, organizers hope to begin construction by early 2024.