Lakebay Marina Sale Resurrected

The latest chapter in the ongoing drama of Lakebay Marina brings new life to the dream of preserving shared history and boating opportunities for generations.

Lisa Bryan, KP News
Posted

The Recreational Boaters Association of Washington and its nonprofit Marine Park Conservancy announced Nov. 7 that the original purchase and sale agreement with Lakebay Marina owner Mark Scott has been extended at the previously agreed price of $1.24 million, plus $25,000 in cash and $25,000 deposited into escrow. The new deadline for closing is Sept. 30, 2021.

Scott reached out to MPC President Bob Wise in the early morning hours of Election Day, Nov. 3, offering a one-year extension under terms the organization offered in September before the original deal expired.

With the extension in place, RBAW immediately reached out to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and the Department of Natural Resources.

“We had been working feverishly with those two agencies on a ‘Boating Facilities Program’ grant application that was to have been submitted by DNR,” said Doug Levy, the state lobbyist for RBAW and MPC. “That effort is now back on track and DNR will be the official applicant for BFP funding.”

DNR, RBAW and MPC made a presentation Nov. 17 to a technical evaluation committee for boating facilities. Levy said they received good advice and pointers for the application as they move to finalize it for January.

If successful, the grant would provide funding for the acquisition cost in addition to planning for the improvements, phasing and permitting of the site over the next few years. The terms of the application stipulate that RBAW and MPC would deed their ownership of Lakebay Marina to DNR and work with them on the planning effort, but Levy said the most logical owner may be Washington State Parks.

“As crushed as we felt at the end of September is as elated as we feel here in mid-November,” Levy said. “Talk about a wonderful, rich, maritime history –– I don’t know how you find anything more treasured than Lakebay and that’s what drew us to it.

“With a little bit of help and funding, to be able to save it and give it to the public as something that belongs to them forevermore –– that’s really, really appealing to us.”

Scott did not respond to a request for comment.


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