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Marina Tenants Face Uncertain Future Amid Ownership Change
4 Jul
Summary
- Parks Tacoma will retake ownership of Breakwater Marina by September end.
- Liveaboard tenants receive one-year lease offers starting October 1.
- Concerns about long-term residency and boathouse future persist.
Parks Tacoma announced plans to retake ownership of the Breakwater Marina by the end of September. Beginning October 1, one-year lease offers will be extended to current liveaboard tenants. This decision marks a change from earlier communications that indicated all liveaboards and privately owned boathouses would need to vacate by October 1.
The department clarified that existing liveaboards will have the opportunity to stay long-term. This approach of "grandfathering" liveaboards is a common practice in the Pacific Northwest. Parks Tacoma intends to integrate the marina into its Point Defiance Marina complex, aiming to increase public access and programming.
Despite the one-year lease extension, many tenants, including long-time liveaboard George Dockstader, express ongoing anxiety and a feeling of uncertainty about their future housing. Concerns also extend to the value and potential relocation of privately owned boathouses.
Parks Tacoma is conducting a marine engineering assessment of the marina's infrastructure and a study of moorage availability and market rates. The department aims to develop a business plan and new leases for incoming tenants, ensuring the marina operates for public benefit.
