When owners and operators of All Seasons Marine on the Black River in South Haven revealed that they were making plans to sell their property, the City of South Haven was among the very first to step into the picture, concerned about the future of viable boating in the community without such a facility.
On Monday night, the South Haven City Council authorized mayor Scott Smith to begin what could be a long process by giving him the green light to apply for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant that could cover up to 75-percent of the appraised value of the property. The city had already authorized a draft proposal for the grant last year, now they can proceed with the actual application.
City Council members saw several options for both the acquisition and administration of the marina consisting of several key buildings on both sides of South Haven’s iconic Dyckman drawbridge, and occupying nearly three acres of prime waterfront in the city.
Smith says he and the city have been working with Greg Weykamp of Edgewater Resources, headquartered in downtown St. Joseph, to achieve an accurate appraisal for the property. One such appraisal is in hand, but Scott says others will have to be considered as well as the grant application process gets underway, and City Manager Brian Dissette has said that the fair market appraisal needs to be agreed upon by all parties in order to proceed.
All Seasons Marine on the Black River, owned and operated by the same family for nearly 40 years, is a full service facility providing a 35-ton travel boat lift, off season storage, 50 slips and a full range of marina services including a fuel dock to the boating public.
City officials are hopeful of not only retaining the marine service operations, but further enhancement of the community’s waterfront in the process.
