City projects including the transient boat dock and an indoor sports facility are on hold indefinitely after the City Commission on Tuesday decided to delay approval of a 20-year, $44.9 million bond. One reason given was negative public feedback to the proposed boat dock.
Conversation about the bond began with Commissioner Mark Castlen stating that he has continually heard negative feedback from the community and other surrounding communities about the necessity and cost of the boat dock.
“We’ve got all this money allocated here for different types of projects within the city and one that I see that really sticks out to me is the transient boat dock. I’ve had nothing but negative vibes from the community in general as far as moving forward with that project,” he said.
He continued to say that the docks in surrounding areas have not been as successful as other Commissioners make it sound. Instead of putting the money toward the proposed dock, he said they should consider a lesser-priced one or put the money toward other places in the community such as raises for city employees or the police department.
City Manager Pagan also noted that some of the concerns that have come up pertained to the negative feedback from the public about the boat dock.
While Commissioner Jeff Sanford has voiced proposal for the boat dock, he said he would not support moving forward with the bond because he thinks that $19 million allocated for the sports facility is not enough.
“I just don’t know if the $19 million would get us where we need it to be for it to be something that people just say ‘wow.’ It’s got to be something that is state-of-the-art. It’s got to be something that I really feel that people will come here and say they definitely want to come back,” Sanford said.
Commissioners Larry Maglinger and Bob Glenn both remained in support of the boat dock, both noting that if the bond and project do not move forward soon the final price would likely get higher.
Nonetheless, the decision to delay a bond approval was unanimous among commissioners and the mayor.
In addition to the boat dock and sports complex, the bond would provide funding for complex a training center for the Owensboro Fire Department, fire station repairs and other OFD improvements, and various other community development projects.
All of that is now on hold until the next City Commission — Pamela Smith-Wright will replace Jeff Sanford at the start of the year — decides to move forward or stop them entirely. The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for January 3.
Pagan said he is confident the projects outside of the sports facility and boat dock will not have to go back to the drawing board.
