This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/deadline-hits-for-owners-to-move-boats-from-buzzard-point-marina-in-sw-dc/2016/03/01/915713f0-dfce-11e5-846c-10191d1fc4ec_story.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Deadline hits for owners to move boats from Buzzard Point marina in SW D.C. Deadline hits for owners to move boats from Buzzard Point marina in SW D.C.
(35 minutes later)
As the deadline for owners to move their boats from the marina at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington came, about 20 boats and trailers remained at the longtime spot.As the deadline for owners to move their boats from the marina at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington came, about 20 boats and trailers remained at the longtime spot.
The marina, which has been in existence for more than 50 years, sits in a park area near V and Half streets where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers come together. It is surrounded by a mix of mostly industrial units, including warehouses and mechanic shops, and a Revolution-era fort.The marina, which has been in existence for more than 50 years, sits in a park area near V and Half streets where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers come together. It is surrounded by a mix of mostly industrial units, including warehouses and mechanic shops, and a Revolution-era fort.
In the fall, officials with the National Park Service had said that the marina, which is in need of repairs that are too costly, would close. They said they would look for other “recreational uses” for the Buzzard Point Park, such as picnic areas, boat launches or areas to canoe or kayak.In the fall, officials with the National Park Service had said that the marina, which is in need of repairs that are too costly, would close. They said they would look for other “recreational uses” for the Buzzard Point Park, such as picnic areas, boat launches or areas to canoe or kayak.
Much of the area around the marina is poised for redevelopment, including a 20,000-seat soccer stadium for the professional team D.C. United that is expected to open in the coming years.Much of the area around the marina is poised for redevelopment, including a 20,000-seat soccer stadium for the professional team D.C. United that is expected to open in the coming years.
[Buzzard Point, proposed spot for D.C. United stadium, has long resisted development][Buzzard Point, proposed spot for D.C. United stadium, has long resisted development]
Meanwhile, as the Feb. 29 deadline to close the marina hit, it was tough for those who have used it for decades. The marina had a heyday in the 1980s and 1990s when its 93 slips were mostly full, and there was a waiting list, but it has lost popularity over the years.Meanwhile, as the Feb. 29 deadline to close the marina hit, it was tough for those who have used it for decades. The marina had a heyday in the 1980s and 1990s when its 93 slips were mostly full, and there was a waiting list, but it has lost popularity over the years.
“It is a very sad day,” said Christine Barna, who has worked at the marina for 35 years, on Tuesday. “It doesn’t feel very good. We are a community here.”“It is a very sad day,” said Christine Barna, who has worked at the marina for 35 years, on Tuesday. “It doesn’t feel very good. We are a community here.”
Of the 20 boats and trailers still at the marina, she said, many of the owners were “still trying to scramble to figure things out” of where they would take their possessions.Of the 20 boats and trailers still at the marina, she said, many of the owners were “still trying to scramble to figure things out” of where they would take their possessions.
“It’s not that easy to move a boat,” Barna said. “If you live in a condo or use public transportation you can’t just load it and take it somewhere.” “It’s not that easy to move a boat,” Barna said. “If you live in a condo or use public transportation, you can’t just load it and take it somewhere.”
For some boat owners she said, the fees are too high at other area marinas to store their boats. And others need work and inspections done on their boats before they move them. For some boat owners, she said, the fees are too high at other area marinas to store their boats. And others need work and inspections done on their boats before they move them.
“Some are going to just walk away from their boat,” Barna said.“Some are going to just walk away from their boat,” Barna said.
[Buzzard Point Marina to close in December; after a half-century of use] [Buzzard Point Marina to close in December, after a half-century of use]
In a press release Tuesday, the park service said it plans to work with area residents and others to “explore options” for the future of the Buzzard Park area around the marina. In a news release Tuesday, the park service said it plans to work with residents and others to “explore options” for the future of the Buzzard Park area around the marina.
It is offering three days in March where boat owners can come get their property. After that, officials said boat owners may be subject to penalties and fees for abandoning property.It is offering three days in March where boat owners can come get their property. After that, officials said boat owners may be subject to penalties and fees for abandoning property.
The park service has owned the marina and the land around it for 50 years. It has also had a contract with Barna to help operate the marina, according to Emily Linroth, a service spokeswoman.The park service has owned the marina and the land around it for 50 years. It has also had a contract with Barna to help operate the marina, according to Emily Linroth, a service spokeswoman.
That contract was set to expire at the end of 2015, but boat owners sued to try to stop the closure of the marina. The contract was then extended until Feb. 29, keeping the marina open.That contract was set to expire at the end of 2015, but boat owners sued to try to stop the closure of the marina. The contract was then extended until Feb. 29, keeping the marina open.
But on Monday, the contract expired, and park officials reminded property owners it was time to go.But on Monday, the contract expired, and park officials reminded property owners it was time to go.
WTOP was among the first to report on the deadline for the marina’s Tuesday closing.WTOP was among the first to report on the deadline for the marina’s Tuesday closing.
Barna said she was skeptical of the future plans for the Buzzard Point marina and park around it. She said previous ideas to improve the existing marina hadn’t been well received or considered.Barna said she was skeptical of the future plans for the Buzzard Point marina and park around it. She said previous ideas to improve the existing marina hadn’t been well received or considered.
“I’m disappointed in our nation’s capital that at a time when the rest of the waterfront is being redeveloped, this is just being left to deteriorate,” she said. “I’m disappointed in our nation’s capital that, at a time when the rest of the waterfront is being redeveloped, this is just being left to deteriorate,” she said.