Officials seeking marina support

By Patrick Johnston

Published: August 12, 2008

Quitman County officials have a marina on their wish list.

And earlier this month, they met with an individual who can help them find funding for such an ambitious project. County officials hosted a reception for Michael Reed, who is in charge of appropriations for Rep. Sanford Bishop’s office. While in town Reed took a boat ride to where the proposed marina would be located.

Richard Morris, chairman of the Georgetown-Quitman County Commission, and Larry Clark, county manager, both said Reed’s visit was a step forward in the process of building a marina.
“He said we might have some opportunities with appropriations,” Morris said. “It went real well.”

Clark was pleased with the turnout of local residents - especially since Reed’s visit was announced at the last minute. He came on a Saturday and was welcomed by a large group of residents who hosted a reception in his honor.

The proposed marina would be built on Tobannee Creek, just past the railroad trestle that connects Georgetown and Eufaula. County officials have already been working with the U.S. Corps of Engineers on a lease agreement for the needed property. The water is approximately 25 feet deep in the area.

“The Corps is really excited about getting this site developed,” Clark said. Both Clark and Morris said the marina would benefit both sides of the Chattahoochee River, and might even include a hotel nearby.

“What we do will help Eufaula. It will help the entire area,” Clark said.

“If we built it, (boaters) will come.”

Morris said the project could cost up to $10 million, though the county is looking for private developers to help cover much of the cost. He adds a future marina could possibly include commercial development such as restaurant.

“The Corps of Engineers likes this. They want this to be a public-private partnership,” he said.

Morris also says the county is looking at developing a large parcel of land north of the planned George Place development into a dry docking facility. It would include also walking trails, picnic areas and maybe a fishing pier similar to the one at Old Creek Town Park.