Sampson Marina Comm

Here is an excerpt from a 2015 Parks response re: Sampson marina... After reviewing these options, OPRHP has concluded the agency cannot commit $6.6 to $8.2 million to construct a new marina. At a mid-point of $7.7 million, the construction cost is extremely high, equating to a cost of $77,000 per slip. Given the agency's huge backlog of capital rehabilitation needs across the state park system, and specifically at Sampson our priority of improving the park's camping facilities and addressing pressing park infrastructure needs (water, roads, etc.), OPRHP cannot justify a capital expense of this magnitude. Therefore, as outlined above State Parks is adopting a two-part approach: • This summer. State Parks will issue an RFP seeking a private marina concessionaire that would build and operate a marina at Sampson State Park. The private sector is well positioned to operate marinas, as evidenced by t he large number of existing private marinas on Seneca Lake and other Finger Lakes. OPHRP recently secured a private concessionaire to improve and operate the existing marina at Buffalo Harbor State Park on Lake Erie (the Buffalo Harbor operator will invest more than $8 million over the f - , f i r s t five years of the contract to improve the marina, demonstrating the viability of private sector ; partnerships). In the Sampson RFP, State Parks will commit $2.5 million of agency capital funding to support development of a new marina with the private operator providing the remaining capital funds. Expanded programming and sales that could add value to the project would be consideration of possible fuel sales, sundries, and a seasonal restaurant. The agency would offer a long-term lease to enable potential concessionaires to recoup their capital investment cost. If a qualified private operator :,v!.*v-^s expresses interest in t he marina. State Parks will diligently work to secure an agreement and expedite construction. • If the RFP process is not successful in attracting a private sector concessionaire to operate the marina, . z ^ i State Parks will then pursue plans to develop a day-use boat launch with transient docking for day-use boaters and to accommodate visitors staying in t he park's campground. The consultant study determined this option could cost as much as $4.0 million (the agency will evaluate value engineering options to reduce the cost). Given this level of cost, it will be several years before State Parks could commit funding. The agency will also seek grants from federal boating programs or other sources in order to undertake a project of this scope. Parks has spent more than the quoted $75k / slip for other park marinas - Robt Moses - LI - day use only spent over $82k/slip in 2008 - payback period 250 yrs New Rochester Harbor Marina - not a state park but partially funded by NY OPRHP grant $ Avg $161k / slip, Transient (wall tie-up) $60k / slip, seasonal w/ docks $282k / slip About this project...New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey said, An exciting and accessible waterfront can truly invigorate a community. I applaud Governor Cuomo and all of the partners working together to provide this tremendous new recreational resource for the city of Rochester. Sampson and Seneca County are being short changed and treated like second class citizens compared to other locations. The saddest part is the other Finger Lakes State Park Marinas all have similar construction as Sampson and are approaching the same age...and will require similar refurbishment is the near future... will Parks turn their back on all or other State Park Marinas??? or are they singling out Sampson for closure and will maintain other??? Also the Friends of Sampson Marina Committee has repeatedly requested Parks to look at lower cost alternatives and phased refurbishment to reduce and spread the cost. Parks has repeatedly refused to consider either... it's either a concessionaire willing to spend $M's or decommission the marina leaving a launch & a few convenience docks.

It will never be sold to private investor... the NY State Constitution prohibits parkland from being sold - They can shut marina down but can't sell it The Office of parks, Rec & Historic preservation has put it into a master plan to "decommission" the marina if a private investor doesn't bid on a lease to refurbish and operate the marina. That requires more than $1Mill private investment for a lease and the marina belongs to the state and returns to them at the end of the lease. Decommissioning includes removal of almost all of the docks but leaving the ramp and several convenience / transient docks - no seasonal rentals. The Friends of Sampson have shown Parks that the additional cost to refurbish the 100 slip marina would be more than paid for by rentals over the life of the marina but they won't consider it...nor will they consider lower cost alternatives with shorter lives...they have told the Friends that it their plan to 'do it right" (Cadillac approach) or nothing.

JJB... Thanks for posting the FLT article...I'm the Friends Co-chair quoted in the article. What would help us the most is if some of the interested boaters/fishermen would consider emailing Parks Commissioner Harvey. Contact info is online at https://sites.google.com/site/friendsofsampsonmarina/contact-us and includes email contact info We are not holding our breath that a private investor is willing to refurbish the marina a have it go back to the state at the end of the lease term...but we would cooperate with anyone taht is really interested. Thanks Don

lakebound Check your PM's re: seasonal slip for charters.

To clarify a few points mentioned above... If / when they rework the launch ramp it will be part of the "decommissioning" of the marina ( meaning end of - remove the sheet pile, do away w/ the marina basin, etc) and will preclude any future work re: the marina as it exists today vs being a first step towards improvement. Think Lodi launch ramp w/ fewer docks As long as all derby participants utilize trailerable boats and are OK w/ pulling / launching each day and for lunch etc - campers using a ramp only will be "satisfied" other than the wait times will likely not be attractive during derby days The Friends Marina Comm have identified both Federal & NY State grant programs that marina refurb would qualify for and could provide approx 20 -25% of the necessary funds - without a refurbishment plan and commitment by parks we can't even apply for the grant$ There is no talk of "big developers" taking the park over and destroying the history - the state constitution prevents that from happening to state parklands This doesn't have to be either campsite improvements or marina refurbishments - the fees of each should support / justify maintenance and improvements of each respectively.

Sample Letter Attached - please cut / paste and personalize with your specifics for maximum impact Elected official contact info: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo EMail Governor Cuomo - [email protected] You may also contact the Governor's office by: phone (518) 474-8390 or mail: The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 _________________________________________________________________________________ Rose Harvey Commissioner, NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation EMail Commissioner Harvey - [email protected] 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12224 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Assemblyman Philip A. Palmesano 132nd Assembly District 105 E. Steuben St. Bath, NY 14810 607-776-9691 [email protected] eMail Assemblyman Palmesano UserSupportLetter.doc

The Friends of Sampson SP Marina Committee has been working since 2008 to try to convince NYS Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation OPRHP to complete refurbishment of the Sampson marina. Without the necessary refurbishment the marina will ultimately be "decommissioned" OPRHP code for replace it with a launch ramp & a few temp docks. If you utilize or otherwise care about this Seneca Lake facility I encourage you to make your concerns known by contacting elected officials by writing, email and/or phone. We have provided contact info and sample letters on the Friends of Sampson Marina Website - Contact Officials We are suggesting / requesting supporters contact: Rose Harvey, Commissioner OPRHP and Gov. Cuomo with cc:'s sent to Assemblyman Palmesano I am not trying to be an unnecessary alarmist but we believe we are close to loosing this long term effort and without significant broad based support from the park patrons, the public, and local businesses the decision will be made to eliminate the marina. What will the Memorial Wkend Lake Trout Derby be like w/o Sampson Marina?? PLEASE consider helping this worthwhile cause... or don't be upset if / when it is "decommissioned" THANKS Friends of Sampson Marina Committee - a NY Certified 501 © (3) not for profit organization

Kendaia Kabins and Campground is on Rt 96A across and just a little north from the Sampson entrance. Their website http://www.campingroadtrip.com/campgrounds/campground/campground/4392/new-york/kendaia-kabins-and-campground Phone 315-585-2244 Sampson Marina Committee

The Sampson Marina Committee has added sample letters to their website as an way to simplify contacting elected officials. We are urging as many supporters as possible to write or email elected officials as we have been told this will have significantly more impact than simply signing the petition. Visit the website for elected official contact info, sample letters, marina photos and other info and links Save Sampson Marina Website Thanks to those supporting the effort to save this resource. Good luck to all derby entrants.

Campaign info will be available at the Sampson weigh station If weather and lake levels allow Sampson Marina Committee members should be around the marina during the derby weekend. Supporters feel free to stop by and inquire if you have any questions about the effort to convince elected officials they should fund refurbishment instead of shutting down the marina.

The Friends of Sampson Marina website https://sites.google.com/site/friendsofsampsonmarina/ also includes an aerial photo and more info about the marina and current issues they are trying to get addressed.

Thanks to all who have visited the Save Sampson website and signed the petition. Count is now over 100 (in addition to the 1,000+ paper signatures). We would like to encourage as many as possible to contact elected officials via mail, email or phone as this will have significantly more impact than the petition. Contact info & direct link to their email is on our website and we are working on sample letter drafts to be posted in the very near future. https://sites.google.com/site/friendsofsampsonmarina/ If you are at the tournament stop by the marina and talk to any of the marina committee members to additional info. Thanks for your support

Thanks for the ongoing support from users of Sampson Marina. In addition to petition signatures the Marina Committee is trying to encourage as many supporters as possible to call, write or email elected officials to express your support for keeping this Finger Lakes resource open to the public. To make it as easy as possible we have provided links from our website that provides phone and email for key elected officials. For additional info and links see the post "Campaign to Save Sampson Marina" viewtopic.php?t=22183&p=127855

Volunteers Campaign to Keep Sampson State Park Marina Open The Friends of Sampson State Park Marina Committee has recently launched a "Save Sampson Marina Campaign" in an attempt to raise awareness of the current marina conditions and the likelihood of closure if repairs and refurbishment are not undertaken. Explore our website to learn more about the campaign and how you can assist. Friends of Sampson Marina Website Supporters of the campaign are encouraged to view and sign the petition. We are asking as many as possible to contact elected representatives Contacting elected officials directly via mail, email or phone will have significantly more impact than the petition alone. Elected Official contact info is provided on the website to make it as easy as possible to call, write or email officials and we are working on posting sample letters in the very near future. Help spread the word - The Marina Committee THANKS all who support this effort