It'll cost more to rent boat slips at Sunset Marina, but owners should get deeper water in return. Last night, Rock Island aldermen approved a 3% increase in each of the next two seasons. Public Works director, Bob Hawes, says the council also approved re-financing the marina's debt which will save more than $80,000 a year.
Combined with the rent increase, Hawes says that means Rock Island can afford to spend about 100,000 dollars every other year to dredge the entrance and part of the harbor. He hopes the work can begin next spring near a row of slips located near the bank. He says the dock isn't even floating anymore. It's actually sitting on the bottom of the harbor.
Sunset Marina has 473 slips for boats ranging from 16 to 60 feet long, and rental rates vary. Rock Island's public works department and the Boaters Advisory Committee agreed on the six percent overall hike in rent. For example, the city currently charges 616 dollars rent per season for an uncovered slip for a 20 foot boat. In 2014, it'll go up to 652. Rent on a covered slip for a 45 foot boat will increase from 3,300 dollars this season to 3,500 in two years.
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