Baltimore, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Boating Services and Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore recently held a ribbon cutting to officially open the newly renovated marina located in the Inner Harbor.
“The Department of Natural Resources is committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy boating on Maryland’s waterways,” said Bob Gaudette, DNR’s Director of Boating Services. “By partnering with the City of Baltimore and the Downtown Sailing Center we were able to construct a major boating access facility for persons with disabilities, making this project an overwhelming success.”
DNR began the project in September 2010 and it was completed on September 23, 2011. The agency constructed concrete piers recycled from the Inner Harbor Marina to enhance the existing marine facility. The newly configured dock layout serves multiple purposes; it creates a bigger platform to accommodate a larger number of people, allows for easier wheelchair access onto vessels, and provides more space for larger boats. The entire facility is designed to meet ADA requirements.
“The Downtown Sailing Center Marina improvements provide significant access to Baltimore’s Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay,” said the Center’s Executive Director, Kristen Berry. “The funding for this project enables us to provide sailing instruction and experiential programs for members of the public, including a specific focus on Baltimore area youth and people with disabilities.”
The total project cost was $300,000. State grants were provided through the DNR Waterway Improvement Fund. Revenue for the fund comes from the one-time 5 percent excise tax paid when a boat is titled in the State of Maryland. This fund has financed over 300 public boating access sites statewide and supports boating safety, dredging, environmental and resource protection projects that benefit the general boating public.
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