Winchester, Tenn.'s plans for a city-owned marina are taking a major step forward with the New Year as the last details are ironed out in a long-term lease agreement with developers who will make the facility on Tims Ford Lake a reality.
"We're working under a short-term lease now till March, and we're working on the long-term lease details," City Administrator Beth Rhoton said.
City officials and developers Adam Casey, Dennis English and David Kiger have agreed on major details of the long-term lease agreement and will continue to tweak it until February.
"We've agreed on most things, and there are just some technicalities that we have left," Rhoton said.
FAST FACTS
Plans for the the marina at Winchester include proposed construction of: Public boat launching ramp Minimum of 100 boat slips for rental Restaurant Retails sales area Minimum of 10 convenience piers for mooring visiting boats Fuel dock and gas facility for boats Public restrooms Floating breakwater, if requiredSource: Winchester, Tenn., city government
Meanwhile, crews are removing underbrush.
"We've got a permit from TVA to clear some of the land," Rhoton said. "The group has already been clearing and you can actually walk out there and see the lake now.
"The city's working on financing and some grants to redo the roads," she said. "We're trucking along."
The multimillion-dollar marina will have a minimum of 100 boat slips, a restaurant, fuel dock and retail stores on the part of the lake surrounded by Winchester at the easternmost end near the confluence of Dry Creek and the Elk River. Plans also include rental cabins, a campground, and there's room for other businesses.
The idea for a marina goes back to the 1980s, according to city officials. The city received the property through an assessment around 2004.
The first attempt at development started in 2006 but that relationship dissolved with the downward spiraling economy. TVA and the state assigned the property to the city in anticipation of a new marina.
TVA inspectors visited the site a couple of weeks ago and reported to Rhoton that crews were working "by the book" and that they were impressed so far.
"I think they'll start off on good footing with TVA," she said.
Now officials, planners and developers will wait for TVA to approve a permit to begin construction, something Rhoton believes could take some time because of the environmental reviews and impact studies required.
City Councilman Bruce Spencer said work being done under the short-term lease "was really just to give [the developers] the opportunity to go in and get a look at the land and answer their own questions about the site itself."
Although there are still many steps to take, Spencer believes the city, TVA and the developers will agree on details and get work underway.
"Once that is approved, crews can begin site work," he said. "We're very excited about it."
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.