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.

Email from Michael Poplawski

According to an email from Michael Poplawski, Director of Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism, demolition of the Deep Creek Pier has been pushed back to mid-March.
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I thought you might be interested in knowing that the demolition of the Deep Creek Pier is likely going to be occur sometime in mid-March, rather than around mid-February as originally scheduled. I will be happy to try to give you a more precise date as we get closer to that time. As always, please don’t hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions (926-1400).

Sincerely,

Michael Poplawski

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism

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.
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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