Deep Creek pier decision delayed

The city was leaning toward a mooring plan, but Mayor Joe Frank asked for more information.

By Sabine Hirschauer
June 11, 2008
Source: dailypress.com

NEWPORT NEWS – — So close. But not close enough.

Four Newport News City Council members said Tuesday they would support another mooring pier at the end of Deep Creek Road. Two council members, Vice Mayor Charles Allen and Councilman Joe Whitaker, backed a pedestrian pier with benches and rails.

But it was Mayor Joe S. Frank who sent city staff back to the drawing board on the pier issue.

“I don’t think I have enough information to decide one way or the other,” Frank said.

Since the city demolished the aging Deep Creek pier last year, a firestorm has ignited over whether or not to rebuild the 1940s-era local landmark.

A full-fledged, new 400-foot mooring pier including a costly parking lot, lights, water, restrooms and security cameras could cost between $600,000 to $900,000. By comparison, a 300-foot pedestrian pier with some amenities, where only children could fish, could cost around $300,000. But it was unclear if a parking lot with a price tag between $146,000 to $185,000 was needed for the shorter pedestrian dock. Restrooms would cost between $190,000 to $250,000.

The city attorney will research if by state law, Newport News can use eminent domain to acquire land for parking, something which might not be legal if the pier was used commercially by the watermen. The city will also check into whether or not the pedestrian pier would require parking at all.

Council members also discussed charging pier users for parking and mooring, and requiring watermen to insure their boats once the city rebuilds the pier.

Good news and bad news and a whole lot in between, C.W. Powell, a local waterman, said describing Tuesday’s work session debate about the pier.

And Carol Hogge, the wife of a Deep Creek waterman, said for the city requiring insurance and possibly charging for mooring wasn’t fair.

“They are running the watermen out,” she said.

Update – Deep Creek Pier and Menchville Marina – From the office of City Manager, Randy W. Hildebrandt 4-4-08

[click on post title to view photos]

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N N Watermen, unite

Source: dailypress.com
Written by Carol Hogge

March 30, 2008

All watermen from Newport News need to come to the next meeting of the City Council. Especially needed are the watermen who have docked at the Deep Creek pier and are now docked at the Menchville wharf. The Deep Creek pier that has been the home port for many watermen for decades is in jeopardy of being torn down completely and never being replaced as a mooring facility.

Watermen’s views and concerns are needed to help the city decide and provide the best and safest place for the mooring of boats and being able to unload and sell the catch without having to travel elsewhere. It is very important to attend and let the City Council know our experiences and feelings about the Deep Creek pier. Not only the watermen are losing this great treasure but the public who have fished or crabbed or just strolled down the pier to view the sunset or talk to the watermen.

It really does matter what the watermen have to say. Don’t let this opportunity to speak out get away from you to tell the City Council what you think.

Carol Hogge

Newport News

Letter from Director of Parks, Recreation & Toursim

The following is a letter from Michael Poplawski, Director – Parks, Recreation & Tourism. It addresses the demolition of Deep Creek Pier and the time frame for the work at Menchville Marina. Thank you to the person who inquired about these issues and acquired this response.
———————————————————————-

Mayor Frank asked that I respond to your e-mailed question about the demolition of the Deep Creek Pier on his behalf. As of today, the Pier is scheduled for demolition beginning February 15. While the work is expected to be completed in a week, the actual timeframe will depend on weather conditions and how easily the pilings are able to be pulled out.

The timeframe for the work at the Menchville Marina has not been set yet. The marine contractor (MMM Engineering) is currently working on construction specifications and, once they are finished (expected this month), we will schedule the actual work. Please bear in mind that this initial work at Menchville Marina will only involve replacing the deteriorated bulkhead and improving the grade of the adjacent parking area (where it sometimes floods during extremely high tides). The development of piers, docks and other mooring structures will come in the next phase–once we have had the opportunity to talk with the watermen and others who are using the facility. In this regard, I expect the first meeting with the watermen (and any other interested participants) to occur sometime in February. We have made it clear to our engineering consultant–and will make it clear to the contractor who is eventually employed to replace the bulkhead–that accommodations will need to be made to allow continued use of the site by watermen while construction work is being performed. In other words, we are planning to repair only part of the bulkhead at a time–which should allow boats to relocate to, and continue to use, those mooring areas that are not under construction.

I hope this helps answer your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me (email mpoplawski@nngov.com or phone 926-1400) if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

Michael Poplawski

Director – Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Keep the watermen at Deep Creek

Boats at Menchville ~ October 17, 2007

October 22, 2007

Source: dailypress.com

Bonniebelle Amory Melzer was my mother. I’m 90 years old, and I remember when Warwick County officials knocked on her kitchen door and asked her to give them land to build a road down to Deep Creek harbor. She agreed on one condition –– that they would build a pier for the citizens and watermen, free of fees, and that they would maintain it forever.

Warwick County agreed, and the responsibility of the pier later passed to Newport News. It must have seemed like a pretty good deal at the time, but times change. Newport News doesn’t think it was such a good deal after all. It wants to tear down the pier.

It has moved the watermen from a safe harbor at Deep Creek to the Menchville side of the harbor. There are many things that can be reasonably argued on both sides of this issue, but the wind is not one of them. Docking boats in line with a channel where the winds are funneled straight to where the boats are docked is dangerous and foolhardy.

If this wasn’t enough, without a pier for docking, boats are tied together now. The watermen will be forced to jump from one boat to another to check on their boats during a storm, and they most certainly will do this because they can not provide for their families if something happens to their boat. This is a tragedy waiting to happen.

The watermen helped to make this city what it is today. Now the city has a chance to give something back to them. Give them their pier and build it in a safe harbor –– Deep Creek Harbor.

Joseph Lee Melzer Sr.

Newport News