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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>There are some big improvements coming to the Beaufort downtown marina, according to a news release form the city on Tuesday.</p>
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<p>The company that manages the City of Beaufort’s downtown marina, Safe Harbor Marinas, plans to invest more than $7.5 million on a marina expansion over the next two years, City Council was told at its Oct. 26 meeting.</p>
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<p>Safe Harbor has leased the marina from the City since July 2019. In its presentation last week, it detailed various expenses it has incurred to bring maintenance up to date, including $124,500 to replace 30 moorings.</p>
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<p>Safe Harbor outlined an ambitious plan for future improvements that would include:</p>
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<p>– A new floating dock system that would contain a welcome center, pump-out station and diesel and gasoline fuel dispensers;</p>
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<p>– Resized slips to accommodate larger vessels;</p>
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<p>– A new ADA-compliant gangway; and</p>
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<p>– 2,496 linear feet of flexible side tie berthing to host transient vehicles.</p>
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<p>Earlier this year, the company was awarded a $1.5 million federal grant through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. It matched that with $2.4 million, for a total of $3.9 million to go toward its proposed improvements at the marina.</p>
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<p>Safe Harbor Marinas manages 125 marinas, including Charleston and Skull Creek on Hilton Head Island. In 2019, it signed a 10-year lease with the City of Beaufort. The City receives a percentage of the revenues generated at the marina, and is not responsible for maintenance or improvements to the marina.</p>
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