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 2 Version 3
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)
Last fall, officials with the National Park Service said the marina at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington would have to close. It needed repairs that were far too costly to make, so the boat owners who docked there would have to move. Last fall, officials with the National Park Service said the marina at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington would have to close.
It needed repairs that were far too costly to make, so the boat owners who docked there would have to move.
But on Monday, the deadline day for moving, about 20 boats and trailers remained.But on Monday, the deadline day for moving, about 20 boats and trailers remained.
“It is a very sad day,” said Christine Barna, who has worked at the marina for 35 years. “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. “It doesn’t feel very good. We are a community here.”
Many of the owners of boats and trailers remaining at the marina were “still trying to scramble to figure things out” regarding where they would take their possessions, she said.Many of the owners of boats and trailers remaining at the marina were “still trying to scramble to figure things out” regarding where they would take their possessions, she said.
“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.”
The marina, which has existed for more than 50 years, sits in a park area near V and Half streets. It is surrounded by a mix of mostly industrial units, including warehouses and mechanics’ shops, and a Revolutionary-era fort. The marina, which has existed for more than 50 years, sits in a park area near V and Half streets.
It’s heyday was the 1980s and 1990s, when its 93 slips were mostly full and there was a waiting list. But its popularity faded over the years. It is surrounded by a mix of mostly industrial units, including warehouses and mechanics’ shops, and a Revolutionary-era fort.
Its heyday was the 1980s and 1990s, when its 93 slips were mostly full and there was a waiting list. But its popularity faded over the years.
Much of the area around the marina is poised for redevelopment, including a 20,000-seat soccer stadium that is to be the home of D.C. United.Much of the area around the marina is poised for redevelopment, including a 20,000-seat soccer stadium that is to be the home of D.C. United.
[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]
For some boat owners, storage fees are too high at other area marinas, Barna said. And others need work and inspections done on their boats before they move them.For some boat owners, storage fees are too high at other area marinas, Barna said. And others need work and inspections done on their boats before they move them.
“Some are going to just walk away from their boat,” she said.“Some are going to just walk away from their boat,” she said.
[Buzzard Point Marina to close in December, after half a century of use][Buzzard Point Marina to close in December, after half a century of use]
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 area around the marina. Officials said they would look for other “recreational uses” for the space, such as picnic areas, boat launches or areas to canoe or kayak. 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 area around the marina. Officials said they would look for other “recreational uses” for the space, such as picnic areas and boat launches, or areas to canoe or kayak.
The Park Service is designating three days this month for boat owners to get their property: Saturday, and March 9 and 12. After that, officials said, boat owners may be subject to penalties and fees for abandoned property.The Park Service is designating three days this month for boat owners to get their property: Saturday, and March 9 and 12. After that, officials said, boat owners may be subject to penalties and fees for abandoned property.
The Park Service, which has owned the marina and the land around it for 50 years, had a contract with Barna for her to help operate the marina, according to Emily Linroth, a Park Service spokeswoman.The Park Service, which has owned the marina and the land around it for 50 years, had a contract with Barna for her to help operate the marina, according to Emily Linroth, a Park Service spokeswoman.
That contract was to expire at the end of 2015, but boat owners sued to try to stop the marina’s closure. The contract was then extended until Feb. 29, keeping the marina open a few additional weeks.That contract was to expire at the end of 2015, but boat owners sued to try to stop the marina’s closure. The contract was then extended until Feb. 29, keeping the marina open a few additional weeks.