Avery Beach Docks on the Way!

Boat dock at Avery Beach happening after long wait

HUNTSVILLE – There may finally be boat parking at a waterfront park.

The Town of Huntsville has been talking for years about creating a boat mooring facility at Avery Beach and a deal with Pipefusion Services Inc. may help it realize that goal.
Huntsville council has debated a dock at the beach since the creation of a 1991 waterfront planning strategy. And the community master plan includes a section about boat mooring there.
Council again discussed the potential facility at a March 19 meeting. David Sauders, executive director of public infrastructure, said Pipefusion was interested in installing a 24- or 28-slip dock along with lighting at its own expense along the beach’s shoreline.
In an effort to create more water access for boats near the downtown, council issued a request for proposals for the Avery Beach project.
Pipe Fusion was the only proponent to submit a bid.
The project will be a public-private initiative with the private business keeping the revenue from slip leases for the first five years, after which it will share the revenue with the town.
Saunders told council the site could be expanded to a maximum of 98 slips, with the possibility of additional boat mooring at the Jack Bionda dock behind the Canada Summit Centre in future.
Council approved the project in principle and gave the public infrastructure and protective service committee the authority to approve the final contract with Pipefusion to provide and manage docking facilities.
Staff will present a report detailing the contract to the committee next month.