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OmahaRiverFront.com
- RIVER NEWS
Sioux City riverfront development
moves forward - including plans for a new marina
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 ioux City, Iowa will
be getting a new marina and Clem Hurley, who previously leased
Midland Marina from the city, is quite a bit richer. The city
recently agreed to buyout the remaining term of the lease Mr.
Hurley held for $1,225,000.  This
settles existing lawsuits that have been going on between the two
parties for some time.
The original lease agreement that began in 1992 had provided for
extensions of ten years. Mr. Hurley alleged the city was trying to
force him out of business to make way for development designed to
generate higher revenues for the city. City attorneys claim there
was no legal basis for his allegations but agreed to the settlement
in order to avoid a lawsuit which would have had the real estate
tied up in litigation for years.
The city plans to move quickly to make the site available for
development. A concept developed in 1999 by Ciaccio-Dennell
Group of Omaha calls for creating a tax-generating synergy by
concentrating all the commercial activity on the riverfront in the
marina area. The plan which had been put on hold in 2000, pending
litigation, includes everything from bicycle and in-line skate
rentals and concessions to the establishment of a hotel, restaurant
and parking garage. The area would also include a signature
fountain, boardwalk and a lighthouse at the harbor entrance. The
casino boat - Belle
of Sioux City, will likely move to the marina area as well. The
plan will be done in phases, probably over 10 to 15 years.
The marina itself will have boat sales and service, along with as
many as 316 boat slips, gas sales and indoor boat storage. The city
will be operating the marina this year and will be searching for a
new marina operator. Plans for dredging and dock repairs are
currently underway. Any boaters with questions can contact Kerry
Gill, Director of Parks
and Recreation at 712-279-6115.
There is also a meeting being held at the marina on Wednesday,
April 10th at 6pm to inform the boating public about this year's
plans. For more information about this meeting, click on the OmahaRiverFront.com
home page River Events Calendar on April 10th.  |
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