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Councilman wants to prevent ‘squatters’ from city park space

By Sam Shawver

Special to the Times

A Marietta councilman has recommended turning a section of city-owned property into a public park to prevent “squatters” from constructing boat docks along the Muskingum River’s west bank.

“I have a problem with squatters, people who decide they can put docks there,” Tom Vukovic, D-4th Ward, told fellow council members during a joint Lands, Buildings and Parks and Streets committees meeting Tuesday.

“My concern is basically that we have no control over squatters, and if you look at what’s been put on the riverbank it’s just not attractive,” he added.

Vukovic said there are currently at least two boat docks that have been built on the city-owned riverbank along Gilman Avenue between the Marietta High School boathouse and Westview Avenue.

But he noted the illegal construction of boat docks in that area has been an issue for several years because the property is only designated as a city right of way.

“As long as it’s a right of way there will be an issue,” Vukovic said. “There are only two docks now, but if we allow this to continue and it grows to five or 10, then there will be a battle (to get them removed).”

To help alleviate the problem he suggested council officially designate that area of riverbank as a public parkland, which would give the city better control over the property.

Pete Prigge with the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club agreed.

“If it’s parkland you can have restrictions on how the property is used,” he said. “My suggestion would be to make it a park so you have that control.”

Councilman Roger Kalter, who chairs the Lands, Buildings and Parks Committee, asked what steps would have to be taken to change the property designation from right of way to parkland.

Vukovic said the current boat dock “squatters” would have to be evicted.

“And according to the city law director (Paul Bertram III) we would have to get a survey done to show what we own there,” he said, adding that research by the city administration indicated that section of riverbank is not private property.

Vukovic also suggested that the park, if so designated, should be named in memory of the late Marilyn Ortt who dedicated countless hours to help preserve the riverbank properties and green space throughout the city.

In other business Tuesday, Prigge and local resident Mike Gulliver presented the committee members with a proposal to install a kayak and small boat launching facility on the east Muskingum River bank behind Armory Square.

“A number of years ago that area was an access point to the Becky Thatcher (showboat), but now it’s all silted in,” Gulliver said.

The Becky Thatcher was brought to Marietta in 1975 and operated as a showboat for many years, but in 2009, after sitting idle for several years, the city filed eviction proceedings against the vessel’s owner.

The boat was towed to Neville Island near Pittsburgh where it sank in the Ohio River in February 2010.

Since then the section of Marietta riverbank behind the Armory has remained vacant.

Gulliver said he had talked with several people interested in locating a dock in that area for use by kayaks and similar small watercraft, including the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club, WASCO, Inc., Marietta Main Street and the Marietta Adventure Company.

He said Ryan Smith, owner of Marietta Adventure Company, had been in contact with Rebecca Young with the Ohio River Wild Islands Refuge facility near Williamstown.

“She submitted an application for $150,000 in federal grant funding for the city of Marietta,” Gulliver said, noting, if awarded, that money could be used to construct the low-water dock.

But he cautioned the grant application has only recently been filed and there’s no guarantee that Marietta would receive the funding at this time.

Councilwoman Cindy Oxender, R-at large, noted federal grants often require matching funds from the city.

Vukovic said he would support the project, but if matching funds are required it could be a problem for the city.

“The issue would be, if the grant is approved what’s the city’s stake?” he said. “And what strings would be tied to the grant?”

Prigge said the project is just a concept at this time and would require more research of the proposed area before plans for the dock could be developed.

What’s next

≤ Marietta City Council’s Planning, Zoning, Annexation and Housing Committee meets at 4:15 p.m. today, followed by an Audit Committee session at 5:15 p.m.

≤ Council’s Employee Relations Committee also meets today at 6 p.m.

≤ All sessions will be held in Room 10 of the Armory on Front Street.

≤ City Council meetings, except executive sessions, are open to the public.

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