The June Parker Marina in Tappahannock was a topic of discussion at last week’s Essex County Economic Development Authority meeting. Photo By Essex High School Drone Class.
The vice chairman of the Essex County Economic Development Authority has asked that the June Parker Marina be targeted for development to enhance tourism marketing.
“I want us to be famous for something really hard and visible,” Bill Croxton remarked during the EDA’s May 1 meeting. “I would like for us to take on Parker Marina and push the town (Tappahannock) and county to include themselves. If we did the basic research and work, sought out funds, and ways to go about this they would likely be willing to participate… The Parkers are willing to work with us. I can envision us leasing it back to them and allowing them to (operate) the marina part, and on the far end the property) develop something with parks and recreation that will encourage kids to come. I just think it’s something we can be known for.”
Essex County held a purchase option on the 18.4 acre site about a decade ago. But, the county’s Board of Supervisors voted in 2017 to decline the purchase option.
“I would love to see Parker Marina developed into something special for this county,” EDA chair Lisa Andrews told Croxton. “But, I question whether we would get support of the Board of Supervisors to do an assessment. We need to determine what needs to be done and what those costs are.”
“Why can’t we spearhead that?” Croxton asked.
“Because we don’t have the money,” Andrews responded.
“We don’t need money to start the process,” Croxton remarked.
“We need money to do a site assessment,” Andrews countered.
Croxton said the site could be “a real money maker with people purchasing gas and staying overnight in our motels.”
“There are clear benefits, but there are clear costs,” Andrews said. “It’s a huge roadblock if we don’t have the support of the town and county. Without their support, I do not think it is feasible for the EDA to take that on. For any project, we would need to get support from the town and county.”
“To me, it’s a bullet we need to bite,” Croxton said.
EDA secretary David Holt, meanwhile, agreed that the organization would need the backing of the town and county in order to tackle such a project.
“Step one is the town and county telling the EDA to go for this,” Holt said. “Then, we need to assess what’s going on at the marina. That’s a gigantic project. I’m not arguing the merits of the project, but we have to come up with a checklist of what needs to be done to get the project off the ground.”
EDA Executive Director Woodie Walker said the development of the marina would be a benefit to the community, while noting the organization is presently working on a variety of potential projects.
“We can get there slowly by building relationships,” he said. “Number one is the (ongoing) marketing plan. Let’s get this together and show the Board of Supervisors they can trust us. This marketing plan is allowing us to develop relationships. We shouldn’t lose sight of the June Parker Marina. Someday we can come back to it.”
“We need to show successes and show that we can get tourists here,” Andrews commented. “The development of that marina could give us a bigger draw. However, no one (on the EDA) — other than you Bill — feels the marina is a priority at this time.”
Croxton ultimately said he will reach out to members of the Town Council and the Board of Supervisors to determine their level of support.
Walker noted that the marketing plan needs to be completed soon.
“I have 100 percent confidence we can fulfill our tourism plan,” he said.
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