Thursday, May 11, 2006

Docks' future "floating" in the balance

This morning’s Oshkosh Northwestern contained an updated article on the discussions being held between the City of Oshkosh and the state Department of Natural Resources over the proposed floating docks near the Leach Amphitheater in Riverside Park.
In response to the city’s application for the installation of floating docks in this area, the DNR has expressed concerns about the increased boat traffic stirring up contamination lying on the bed of the Fox River. As a result of its concerns, the permit for floating docks may eventually be denied, though at this time no final decision has been made and discussions between the city and state are ongoing.

But this morning’s piece by Alex Hummel raises an interesting point and it mirrors one that I have been discussing with folks recently, too.

If the idea of floating docks concerns the DNR, how are they going to feel about future applications for more docks or piers, much like those envisioned at the proposed Five Rivers Resort? The river bed would actually have to be driven into for some of the city’s planned piers and the contamination issues would seem to be the same, if not greater, in cases like that than those the DNR is dealing with in the floating docks scenario.

I understand that at present time there are no other applications with the DNR pending, but it seems to me the time to find out if piers for boat slips and/or a marina at Five Rivers would be approved by the state would be before this resort gets approved and ground is broken. If you have a facility like the one being proposed, but can’t construct a marina – which has been used as a selling point – I think such a denial would affect the marketability and/or viability of the project, would it not? This is yet another question, among the dozens of others, that need to be asked and answered BEFORE the Five Rivers project gets approved.
- Cheryl

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Docks' future "floating" in the balance
Authored by: popo on Tuesday, May 16 2006 @ 07:34 PM MDT
Maybe the city should help out Mr.Doig some more and move the docks to that site. Whats some more taxpayers money. Heck, even the state is even kicking in some money for it.

Docks' future
Authored by: mjs on Wednesday, May 17 2006 @ 07:07 AM MDT
It appears Decade Properties may have given up on the Pioneer Inn. The sale of the Pioneer Princess to Fond du Lac coupled with the closure of the resturant/lounge/tikibar part of the Pioneer for the entire 2006 season seems to be the writing on the wall.Did this occur with the thought that 5 Rivers will build and consume the entire condo/hotel market in Oshkosh?Whats to be done with this important gateway island to Oshkosh? Will it return to it's former "Bums Island" glory?

Docks' future
Authored by: NewVoice on Wednesday, May 17 2006 @ 02:24 PM MDT
Apparently there is a certain element in Oshkosh who gets what they want no matter what is right, good for the community, or affordable. I guess we better get used to 5 Rivers being here whether we like it or not.