Those related responsibilities would include involvement in events at the adjacent Treasure Island Park along the Great Miami River, said Patrick Titterington, the city’s service and safety director.
The $959,000 marina building project being done by Bruns General Contracting has taken longer than anticipated but is within budget, Titterington said during a tour with Mayor Mike Beamish and Stan Kegley, city project manager.
The project interior work was being wrapped up last week with work on a new bar just inside the entrance and completion of a fireplace in a room on the north side that could be used for events/gatherings separate from the restaurant.
“We are finishing it out to the shell. The restaurant, business operator who comes in will take this and do what they want with it,” Titterington said.
Beamish said he was pleased by the interior work including new restrooms and the fireplace room, which he said would make a good lounge or gathering space.
The restaurant was operated previously by Tin Roof, which was closed for the renovations. Afterward, the operators decided to focus on a food truck instead of returning to the renovated facility.
Titterington said the city would decide soon on whether it needs to bring in a consultant to help find the right fit for the restaurant operation.
Some who have toured the marina building have told officials their business plan doesn’t fit and the city representatives have told a couple of others the same, Titterington said.
“We are still looking at a couple of different folks,” he said. “We want the right business in there, something that is going to complement the park.”
The remaining exterior work includes completing a balcony and the eaves.
Work continues on the $1.686 million Treasure Island Park that includes a shelter, amphitheater, paths and other offerings.
Beamish said a dedication of both the marina building and the Treasure Island Park is being planned for the second weekend of June.
In the meantime, staff is discussing programming for the park and uses such as canoeing and camping. Among uses being explored for a portion of the park and a city owned area north of Treasure Island is a monarch butterfly habitat.
Donations received from individuals and businesses will be used to buy bike racks and other park items. The city still would like to find a sponsor for equipment and safety padding for eight different exercise stations that would be along the park trail.
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