Port, tribe partner on marina development

By Jessica Musicar

NORTH BEND - In a convergence of interests, the Coquille Economic Development Corp. and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay have partnered up to develop a new marina next to The Mill Casino-Hotel.

The idea, which had been bandied around between Port and CEDCO representatives for more than six months, is finally building up steam, as the two groups recently joined under a memorandum of understanding to begin a feasibility study for the project. The memorandum was approved at the Port Commission's meeting June 21. CEDCO's board of directors approved it during its quarterly meeting on Friday.

Michael Gaul, the deputy executive director of the Port of Coos Bay, said the feasibility study, which will cost CEDCO and the port about $6,000 each, will determine the marketability of a new marina to see if it makes sense.

“We believe it does,” Gaul said, adding that the small boat basin would be built north of The Mill, adjacent to its RV park. “That report will determine whether we'll go to phase two or not.”

The study is expected to kick off this month and last about four months. If that goes well, the next step of the four-phase project will be to gather funding, permits and start engineering. Other phases include dredging that portion of the bay, construction, developing a management plan and profit sharing.

He said it could be a beneficial and necessary addition to the area's waterways, as the marina in Charleston often carries a waiting list of 50 boats.“It's been a mission of the port for the past couple of years to increase moorage,”

Gaul said.CEDCO is the business arm of the Coquille Indian Tribe.

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