Salisbury turns redevelopment focus toward marina

The focus on Salisbury’s revitalization efforts will soon shift to the west of downtown with the planned development of city-owned land along Fitzwater Street

City officials have sought proposals for the two waterfront parcels at the Port of Salisbury Marina since February, but so far only one developer has responded, said Mayor Jake Day. Another bidder could come in before next week’s deadline, but it is unlikely, he said.

The City Council is scheduled to vote in early July on a contract with the developer who has not yet been identified.

Nearby business owner Dana Simson of Chesapeake East Pottery applauded the idea of new development in hopes it will drive more foot traffic to an area that once was a thriving part of Salisbury.

“It’s been a ghost town since we moved here,” Simson said.

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Seventeen years ago, Simson and her husband, John Orth, bought the old Franklin Hotel building and renovated it to include Simson’s business and a café downstairs and apartments upstairs. Meanwhile, other buildings along the once busy West Main-Fitzwater street corridor had been demolished.

The submitted plan for the marina calls for the construction of a combination of commercial and residential units and a boathouse. Simson said she especially likes the latter.

“I love the idea of a boathouse,” she said. “I give that high marks.”

The city would continue to own the marina, but the developer would operate it, Day said. Currently, less than half of the 86 boat slips at the marina are occupied on a long-term basis. The rest are either empty or are used by transient boaters, he said.

The plan will not affect the nearby Brew River restaurant.

The city also plans to invest in the district with marina site and Riverwalk improvements, streetscape work, bike lanes and a new pump station. It also will pay $100,000 for the boat house that is part of the developer’s plans.

“It’s an opportune time to make some improvements to Fitzwater Street,” Day said.

Salisbury is turning a corner toward a better future

The plan for the marina is the latest effort to redevelop key city-owned properties, including two downtown parking lots.

In October, City Council members finalized a contract with Devreco, a developer responsible for other downtown projects, for the 3.5-acre site.

Devreco will pay $225,000 for Lots 1 and 11 behind the Downtown Plaza and bordered by Camden, Division, West Market streets and Circle Avenue, and will develop a multi-use plan for the land to include a mix of retail, apartments, park areas and parking.

The last new building in the area was constructed in 1976. “There’s been a lot of investment and renovation, but no new buildings,” Day said.

A settlement on the parking lots is scheduled for next month. Devreco will then have 60 months to have a minimum of 25,000 square feet occupied, he said.

The redevelopment in downtown and at the marina are part of the city’s 20-year master plan that delineates seven districts, with numerous public and private projects in each: Old Town (the traditional downtown), University Corridor (Peninsula Regional Medical Center to Salisbury University), North Camden, Marina (the West Side and riverfront), North Prong, Newtown and East Gate (the linkage between downtown and City Park).

Among the projects in the downtown district are a Riverwalk Art Museum, streetscapes, building façade renovations and further redevelopment of city-owned parking lots.

Long-range marina district projects include a Parsons Road streetscape, Brew River site improvements, a Wicomico River crossing at Lake Street and a parking garage on West Main Street.

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