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Developer Floats Marina Proposal

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2007

PORT RICHEY - It's a project that could add more than 300 boat slips to Miller's Bayou.

The Belleair Development Group has submitted plans to add a marina with floating docks, a boat ramp, a bait shop and retail businesses to Port Richey's waterfront.

If approved, the project would be the largest commercial marina in Pasco County.

Tonight, the city council and public will get a firsthand look at the proposal.

The Pinellas Park-based firm is under contract to buy land from the Don Johnson Trust, named after the shrimper and Seaside Inn owner who died nearly two years ago.

Owner Carlos Yepes said the marina would include other land purchases and leasing deals with adjacent property owners for additional parking and ancillary businesses.

Belleair builds convenience stores, drugstores, fast-food restaurants and, more recently, marinas, and it owns properties throughout the state, according to company officials.

Besides council approval, the project will require permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other state agencies.

Boat slips are at a premium in the Tampa Bay area, especially in Pasco County.

In recent years, public boat ramps and family-owned marinas have disappeared from Florida's shores as developers gobble up waterfront properties for condominiums.

Aside from the few privately owned marinas that dot Pasco's coastline, there are only a handful of public ramps and docks from which boaters can access the Gulf of Mexico.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at city hall, 6333 Ridge Road.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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