As some of you know, I made a suggestion to the city to install floating docks along the sea wall at the ferry terminal so rec. boaters would have a secure, safe place to tie up and use the resources at the terminal. I received a response today. I've posted it below.
Jim S.
Mr. Stephany;
Jean Howard asked that I respond to your email which suggested the
installation of a floating dock system adjacent to the terminal at the
Port of Rochester. The City is aware of the demand for such facilities
and responded by installing112 boat slips (a floating dock system) along
River Street from Latta Road to Petten Street and a boater facility
building which houses public rest rooms. These docking facilities are
being managed for the City by Gibbs Marine and are available by the
hour, by the day and for overnight use. For additional information,
please contact Gibbs Marine at 227-1579.
Understanding that the same demand should be accommodated in closer
proximity to Ontario Beach Park and the commercial establishments on
Lake Avenue, the City prepared a Master Plan for the port area which
includes a public marina to provide for both short term and overnight
docking immediately adjacent to the Park, north of the terminal. The
Master Plan will be submitted to Rochester City Council for adoption,
pending environmental review which is a public process that will likely
be concluded later in the year. The schedule for construction of the
new marina is unknown at this time.
In the interim, I have asked my staff to investigate the feasibility of
your suggestion. The floating dock systems are ideal for this use
because as you said they are easy to move and can be utilized on a
temporary basis. As you probably are aware, however, the City's use of
the terminal facilities is tied up in a lease with the former operators
of the fast ferry, and while the ferry is no longer in port, the
location you propose to use is within the current boundaries of a U.S.
Custom and Border Patrol facility and public access may be restricted.
Thank you for your email, I appreciate hearing from you and sincerely
welcome any suggestions you might have that would contribute to
promoting the Port.
Paul M. Holahan
Commissioner