Community input and boater concerns: Here's what to know about the first Sheboygan marina meeting

SHEBOYGAN — Lines of people filtered through the Mead Public Library Rocca Room for the first Sheboygan waterfront and marina revitalization public meeting April 30.

Lining the room were various posters asking attendees to pinpoint where they lived in Sheboygan, share their connection to the waterfront, and give insight into what is and isn’t working well by Deland Park, the beach and marina.

As people went around the room answering questions, city staff and SmithGroup consultants facilitated conversations and answered questions about the project.

Xu Zhang, landscape architect and urban designer with SmithGroup, said the firm came to the session with zero preconceived ideas for the project, instead wanting to be dedicated to listening to the community.

Mayor Ryan Sorenson said gathering ideas and suggestions from the public about what they want to see in the project is helpful in this process.

“Our waterfront is a key part of our identity, and getting these ideas is really going to help drive this forward,” he said. “We don't want this to be the marina of the present, we want this to be the marina of the future.”

What could improve Deland Park and the lakefront? Some community members say a fenced dog path, food truck space and a public swimming pool.

Sheets of paper on the poster boards quickly filled with loads of multicolor sticky notes as community stakeholders shared their insight.

What does the community want to see? What is the lakefront area missing?

Amid the differing visions, Zhang said people’s desire to keep the lakefront area public and accessible was a common theme.

Some ideas included more green space and trees; more bathrooms and trash bins; more security; a fenced dog park; a bike path; a restaurant; a food truck space; and a public swimming pool.

Some community members expressed concern about how the city and project planners are weighing what residents want versus what tourists want in the marina.

“Make marina available to locals as well as visitors,” one sticky note read. “Currently, it seems limited for visitors.”

Several others also called for no new housing developments on the former Sheboygan Armory lot and maintaining public beach access for water sports, like paddling and surfing. Sticky notes also had messages supporting and opposing the forthcoming pedestrian bridge connecting South Pier to downtown.

School district to share traffic study: Sheboygan Area School District will release results of the Urban Middle School traffic study during a public meeting Monday.

A slip holder, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Sheboygan Press they think the city should “skip” the bridge, saying it’s a waste of taxpayer money and it’s only a little bit farther of a walk to utilize the Eighth Street bridge already crossing the river.

Others suggested a full-service marina and related amenities for boaters with slips, like winter boat storage, a store, swimming pool and hot tub.

“The area can be improved without taking away features marina boaters have enjoyed,” another note read.

Boating community members expressed concern about their place in the marina’s future

Beyond what was shared on sticky notes, several members of the public voiced their hopes — and concerns — regarding the future of the marina with Sheboygan Press.

Krystal Marquardt, whose family owns a charter fishing boat, wants the marina to have a future. She said fishing helps fuel tourism and gives kids something fun to do in Sheboygan.

Marquardt said monthly slip rates have increased and amenities have been closed since the city took over marina management from F3 Marina.

“Why are we being punished for that?” Marquardt said.

Historically, marina slip rates were only differentiated based on the size of the boat. However, in 2024, marina slip rates were separated into charter and pleasure categories — similar to how riverfront rates are calculated.

This change was partially brought about to try to help lower the cost of slips or pleasure rates.

With this came an increase in price for some charter rates. For example, in 2023, the 45-foot slip rate was $3,700 and the 2024 rate increased to $3,960. Additionally, the 50-foot slip rate was raised from $4,100 to $4,400.

Current marina amenity offerings include diesel fuel and gas, ice, pump-out service, a security gate, the captain’s lounge, restroom and laundry facilities, according to Nicholas Warminsky, marina manager.

A marina slip holder, who declined to give their name, said they were disappointed in the city cutting the amenities like the hot tub and grilling areas. They said this was a place for community and gatherings they no longer have.

Another slip owner echoed Marquardt’s concerns about the increased slip rates, saying with the several hundred-dollar rate increase, the city could have easily paid a company to manage the pool area and continue offering the valued amenities.

The slip owner said they regularly travel from more than two hours away for the marina and amenities. While they used to endorse the marina because of how it stood out compared to others, they no longer do that.

The slip owner said they could easily go to other marinas closer to them, and now that the amenities bringing them to Sheboygan are gone, that may make people like them stop traveling to Sheboygan. They voiced concern about what will happen if marina patrons leave: Will the city lose that community permanently?

“I try to keep an open mind because I think they want to improve it,” the slip holder said. “They want it to be more like the riverfront with all the happenings, which is great, but then don't take those things away from us.”

City Administrator Casey Bradley said closing amenities like the hot tub and pool occurred because there are no staff to run them. Bringing back amenities and creating a space people want to utilize would come with conversations with the public throughout the process.

Jake Den Boer, who is a member of the Sheboygan Youth Sailing Center board of directors, said the organization wants an open lakefront for the community and a healthy, safe harbor as it nears its 35th year.

“We want boaters in Sheboygan,” Den Boer said.

City and SmithGroup will host a second community session in the summer

Following Tuesday’s meeting, SmithGroup architect Zhang said suggested ideas will be gathered in preparation for the second input session this summer, focused on high-level site design. This could look like identifying key areas and determining if they should be eliminated, revitalized or left alone.

Focus groups with key stakeholders could be formed, too, like business owners and local organizations, according to Department of Public Works Interim Director Aaron Groh.

Sheboygan waterfront and marina master plan proposal could come by late summer

The project planning phase is expected to have three parts: collecting community ideas in the spring, hosting the public design workshop in the summer and proposing a final plan in late summer or early fall.

In between those meetings, there will be online surveying, a goals and vision summary, drafting, and an open house review of the plan.

Share your thoughts on the marina

Missed the first in-person input session? You can share your input in an online survey. Go to https://tinyurl.com/33vsjk64 to find it.

Contact Sam Bailey at sgbailey@gannett.com or 573-256-9937. To stay up to date on her stories and other news, follow her on X (Twitter) @SamarahBailey. Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan waterfront and marina public meeting stirs boater concerns