Ceremony Celebrates Opening of Rodgers Tavern Pier and Floating Dock

     Perryville, Md. -- Local officials and residents from Perryville, Port Deposit and Havre de Grace came out to show their excitement and support for the official opening of the Rodgers Tavern pier and floating dock at a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1.

      “This project will greatly enhance water access, recreation, heritage, tourism and hopefully be the impetus for economic development of the town’s waterfront as well as the revitalization of the old downtown area,” said Town Commissioner Barbara A. Brown. “I am extremely happy that everyone who has worked with the town to make this project happen will see their efforts pay off. It will truly be an asset for Perryville.”

     The pier and floating boat slips provide access to the Susquehanna River and are a short walk to the Historic Rodgers Tavern and the Town of Perryville. Perryville is one of three towns along with Havre de Grace and Port Deposit that will benefit from this boating access site that links the towns to each other and to the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail. The new pier and floating dock not only provide a significant amenity to the boating public, but will also provide economic stimulus to local businesses. The mayor and Commissioners of Perryville have long supported this project.

The site features:
A 515-foot by 10-foot fully-lit walking pier
A 60-foot by 10-foot bridge
An 80-foot by 6-foot walkway
A 122-foot long floating pier with electrical service that includes 12 transient boat slips with an 86-foot T-head floating pier that provides dockage for large vessels.

     “We view this project as an enhancement to the Lower Susquehanna River trail system, an economic stimulus through increased tourism, and additional water access for this riverfront community,” said Perryville Mayor James L. Eberhardt.

     The Rodgers Tavern pier and floating dock are located behind Rodgers Tavern at 259 Broad Street, Perryville in Cecil County. The project, completed on March 30, was a joint venture with funding from the following sources: $1,159,901 from a Federal Grant to the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail, $478,379 from the Town of Perryville, and $554,950 from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Waterway Improvement Fund, which includes $154,950 in 100 percent grants and $400,000 in matching 50/50 grants. Revenue for the fund comes from the one-time, 5 percent excise tax, paid when a boat is purchased and titled in Maryland.