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Baileys Harbor OKs Marina Deck Roof

Dan Roarty of the architectural/design firm Dimension IV provided the Baileys Harbor Town Board with manipulated photographic images of how the marina might look with a roof covering the public observation deck.

The Town of Baileys Harbor has decided to move forward with a plan to add a roof to the observation deck above the town marina. At its regular meeting on Jan. 13, the board decided to hire the architectural/design firm Dimension IV of Green Bay to design the roof.

On Jan. 8, the town held an informational meeting with Dan Roarty of Dimension IV, who outlined the design he had in mind – a sloped, shingle roof supported by steel-reinforced masonry “L” beams that reflect the rustic stone look of the marina building.

Since the plan was first unveiled, several people have expressed concerns that the view of the harbor might be blocked with the addition of the roof.

“It really doesn’t block the view,” said town Supervisor Bobby Schultz. “I think it’s going to draw more people.”

The board also pointed out that roofing the deck will open another revenue stream to the town since the space will be available for rental for weddings and other occasions.

At the Jan. 8 informational meeting there was talk of having Dimension IV also design some sort of awning over the door and windows of the first-story marina office, but at the town board meeting, Dockmaster John Hammarstrom said he has a white and forest green canvas awning that was relatively inexpensive.

Work on the new roof will begin after the already approved repairs to the leaky marina roof are carried out. That work will cost $72,000, with a 25 percent contingency fund if damages from the leaks are worse than suspected, for a total of $90,000. Town Chairman Don Sitte said the total project cost will be about $200,000, and there is a possibility of grant money to help the town pay for the project.

In other matters, the board awarded a harbor dredging contract to low bidder Iron Works Construction of Baileys Harbor, for $35,500. The project calls for removing 1,500 cubic yards of material from the harbor by March 1, which will amount to 100 to 120 truckloads of dredged material.

The only other bidder was Harbor Construction of Door County, at $50,750.

Chairman Sitte also reported that the town’s purchase of the former Emma Toft home is complete. “All the lawyers came to the agreement that everything was good,” he said, “so we own it.”

However, he added it’s going to be a slow process of takeover. Former owners Kathy and Walter Vail will continue to operate the Red Geranium in the 145-year-old building through the 2014 season, after which they will move the business to a rental location. The town plans to use the building as a visitor center and home for the Baileys Harbor Historical Society.

The town also gave approval to town engineer Steve Parent to seek a variance from the Door County Board of Adjustment to add six parking spaces at the Kangaroo Lake boat launch. The idea is to make the area safer by keeping people from parking along the road, where there is a sharp curve. A variance is required because the county considers parking spaces to be structures.