Jamestown Marina May Become Eco Park

By Desiree Parker Friday, September 09, 2011

The Jamestown Yacht Basin may soon be under new management and get an eco-makeover, should the James City County Board of Supervisors give the nod to Eco Discovery Park, Inc.

The county purchased the Jamestown Yacht Basin and the Jamestown Beach Campground in 2006 to preserve greenspace, protect resources and offer residents more waterfront access. Since 2007, the marina has been operated by Master Marine. The Yacht Basin offers slip rentals, boat ramp access, boat service, and fuel and marine retail sales and serves boats less than 30 feet long.

In order to “encourage competition and investigate available options,” according to a county memo, the county chose to solicit a request for proposals for the management and operation of the marina. Williamsburg Event Rentals owner Steve Rose has long wanted to create an Eco Discovery Park in the area (read a previous story on the Park idea here). He submitted his proposal for the park along with management of marina operations and it was accepted by staff. The final hurdle left is approval by the Board of Supervisors, who will discuss the issue Tuesday.

Master Marine also submitted a proposal to run the marina, but according to the county, “the Evaluation Committee determined that Eco Discovery Park, Inc. has the potential to provide a significantly better standard of care for JYB in terms of cleanliness, routine maintenance, facility care, and debris removal.

“These have been concerns in the past, but the Eco Discovery Park, Inc., proposal and business plan are dependent on an attractive well-maintained marina.”

Eco Discovery Park will still offer all the same services and operations currently available at the marina. Beyond that, EDP sees the area as a “community asset that offers eco-tourism and recreational opportunities in addition to traditional marina services,” according to the county.

Some plans for developing the area include adding a store, a café, exhibits, structures, and trails emphasizing environmental awareness and green technologies. Read more about the vision for the park online.

The paid admission exhibit portions of the Park would be located behind the current main marina operations building and the park would offer free admission to residents of the Historic Triangle.

No new admission fees would be charged to access the marina portions of the property. Fees would continue to be charged for services such as boat ramp access and the sewage pumpout and dump station.

The initial lease term is three years with a two-year renewal term. Subsequent renewals may be for an additional five years or other mutually agreeable term.

Supervisors are set to vote on approval of the lease agreement Tuesday evening at their regular board meeting. They will meet at 7 p.m. in Building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.