Eastport Boat School property draws interest of three groups

Interest in the Eastport‑owned property where The Boat School is located is running high, proving that, once the door was unlocked to prospective buyers, the door would open fast. The city first entertained the possibility of selling the property when David Marlow of Marlow Yachts of Florida and China expressed an interest in the fall of 2010 for creating a multi‑use facility. In June, Marlow purchased a foreclosed marine property in Florida and emailed the city council of his decision not to pursue the Eastport option.
At a special workshop held by the council on August 17, over 50 audience members and the council heard of three prospects, two with proposals and one with an interest to view the property. Councillor Mike Cummings read a letter of interest from an executive at Hinckley Yachts of Southwest Harbor to come to Eastport the week of August 22 to look at the property. No mention was made of how the company might utilize the property. In January Hinckley announced that new ownership partners Scout Partners LLC had invested as majority share owners in the company. Hinckley Chief Executive Officer James P. McManus said in a prepared statement, "New boat sales were strong [2010], and continue to show momentum. We're excited to have new ownership partners that are committed to building the Hinckley business and that share a passion for the Hinckley brand." The company was founded in the state in 1928 and now has facilities from Florida to Maine. As of August 24, no time had been set up by Hinckley to visit Eastport.
Eliciting far more interest to the workshop audience was the potential for the city to have its cake and eat it, too. After hearing the Friends of the Boat School's proposal to purchase the 20.8-acre property for $1 with a business proposal that includes local investors and a three‑year plan for sustainable and revenue‑positive operations of the school, the council heard from Paul Koziell, chief operating officer of CPM Constructors, which is a partner with Morrison Manufacturing Inc. in Perry Marine & Construction (PMC). PMC proposes to purchase the full 20.8 acres for $300,000, use about five acres to build an 8,000-square-foot building and is "interested in collaborating with the Friends."
Koziell said, "We don't want to be landlords." PMC would want to set up an agreement with the Friends at a "net zero lease where they could carry out the majority of their goals." He told the Friends' President Tom Ries, "The property you need would be segregated from the property we need." The Friends estimate that eight jobs would be retained or created in the initial phase of their operation, and PMC estimates that 12 jobs would be retained or created with their start-up.
PMC's immediate needs are for the ramp, pier, access road and acreage to build a facility where they would work on their manufacturing contract with Ocean Renewable Power Company. They would like to add a marine service and repair component to their operation. Currently the boat ramp and pier are available for public access, and it was this one point that caused audience members to pause. Resident Sally Erickson said, "On the issue of public access I'd like to encourage you to really shoot for something that would work."
However, the Friends had greater concerns about PMC's suggestion for collaboration because the Friends' business model requires that they be able to take out a loan for building repairs and expansion. "We know that we can't borrow money on something we lease," said Friends member Dean Pike. One audience member with an obvious head for business suggested, "Why don't we give the property to The Boat School and they sell the property to PMC?" That deal would allow the Friends to raise an instant $300,000, a little less than the $400,000 debt ceiling they are proposing to take on.
Jeremy Chapman asked Koziell why PMC needed to purchase the entire facility. "Why not buy the footprint you need and pay for access to the ramp?" Another resident, Jon McNerney, asked the council if the 20.8-acre parcel, assessed at $2 million, had to be sold in its entirety. Chair Robert Peacock assured McNerney that it did not have to be sold in one lump.
Councillor David Morang suggested to PMC, "My thought is that the Friends and you need to hash this out." Peacock closed the workshop by explaining that the council "will accommodate the Friends, PMC and anyone who comes through the door." The council may hold another workshop if PMC and the Friends come up with a joint proposal or if Hinckley wishes to make a presentation.
In a separate interview Peacock thought that PMC and the Friends might be ready for a public workshop during the week of August 29, or it might be that the city will wait until the regularly scheduled September council meeting. If a workshop is scheduled for a time other than the council meeting it will be posted, or interested residents may call city hall. "I hope they can make it work," he said of the two parties. "Whatever happens, good access to the boat ramp is important." He noted that, if PMC is located at the property and installs marine rail, "it could add considerably to the facility for marine repair." He listed possible clients as tugboats and aquaculture well boats. Currently, he said, it can cost $12,200 to take a tug down to the mid-coast for service, and the waiting list for marine service providers in the Maritimes can be over a year.