Calais planning for full service marina

Boaters gifted with the experience of plying the waterways connected with Passamaquoddy Bay may soon have the opportunity of visiting a wholly upgraded waterfront -- one that was once the second‑busiest lumber port in the state, just behind Bangor. Rather than catering to the lumber industry, however, Calais is now reaching out to an altogether different demographic: the recreational boater.
At present, Calais has an 80-foot temporary dock with minimal services offered to visiting boaters. The docks are conveniently located in the downtown area, an advantage that City Manager Jim Porter as well as the city council would like to emphasize. However, the small dock size and lack of services are prohibitive for some visitors.
To remedy the situation, Porter has taken the initiative of requesting preliminary engineering work to determine if the docks would qualify for a Boating Infrastructure Grant. The grant provides funds for municipalities to expand their waterfronts to accommodate boats of 26 feet and greater. Porter hopes to determine if the docks could be doubled to a total size of 160 feet.
The preliminary work has come back as "very promising," Porter reports, adding that he plans to proceed with the application, which is due in November. In addition to an expansion of the docks, the grant will include the purchase of upgrades to provide boaters with electricity, clean water and sewage removal services. Porter says that the grant is a matching grant, but that additional funds could come from smaller grants such as the Small Harbor Improvement Program.
The expansion of the docks themselves will enable larger boats to once again enjoy the Calais harbor while enticing area boaters with the increased services. Also in the works is a planned purchase of the now‑defunct Maine Visitor Center next to the library, which will be converted into a rental location for recreational equipment such as bikes, kayaks and other accessories. Porter says the goal is to turn the Calais waterfront into a "full‑service marina."
The project is but one facet on the agenda of the Economic and Community Development Committee (ECDC), which is continuing with its plan to expand access and interest in the Calais area. Porter says that he met with a project coordinator from Rails to Trails and confirmed the validity and potential of extending the snowmobile trail to Calais by removing four miles of rail. Doing so would provide the town with a steady stream of winter customers from the more than 280 snowmobile clubs that travel the state.
Porter says that the ECDC has received approval to erect a stone monument at the rotary by the newest international bridge. The granite monument will include the words "Welcome to Calais" as well as the city's logo.