In 2014 the Harbor Committee recommended that the Town explore the purchase of the property at 10 Cold Storage Road in Port Clyde for use as a public landing. At that time, St. George had 125 miles of shoreline, and only 183 feet of public water access. The group felt that purchasing the property was a rare and unique opportunity to expand and manage waterfront access in St. George. Acquisition of the property met several goals of the town’s Comprehensive Plan:

• To promote the continuance of water-dependent uses, while maintaining the economic vitality and cultural heritage of waterfront areas.

• Ensure that future public access needs for commercial fishermen and related maritime activities are met. Continue to consider the development of new waterfront access along the coastal waters and rivers of St. George.

• Ensure adequate future public access to shoreline areas while maintaining the environmental integrity of the coast, and promoting the retention and development of open space in waterfront areas, and enhancing the working waterfront, whenever economically feasible.

In May 2015, St. George voters approved the purchase of the property. The property was purchased for $815,000, which was financed with $25,000 previously put aside by the Town and a $785,000 bank loan. The final payment on this loan was made in July 2024. Throughout the development and construction of this project, the Harbor Committee has examined all aspects of public landings, their uses and fees, in other towns along the Maine coast. The Harbor Committee considered a variety of options for improving the landing in Port Clyde, ranging from merely stabilizing the wharf to the more comprehensive approach for the long-term that was ultimate submitted to, and approved by, the voters in 2018.

The pandemic years slowed every aspect of the project, and also drove up the projected cost of labor and materials. The Harbor Committee pursued grant opportunities to fund the project, and ultimately, the town sought and was awarded a grant of $3,851,084 from the Economic Development Administration in 2022. This federal grant will cover 80% of project costs, with 20% being borne by local tax dollars.

Construction commenced in 2023 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024.

When completed, the landing area will be significantly larger than the prior landing, due to filling in portions of the former landing area. It will include 2 hoists for landing fish and aquaculture harvests; a larger ramp for boats; approximately 40 parking spaces; 2 portable toilets and a dumpster.

Commercial users will pay an annual fee for use of the landing. The St. George Select Board will set fees and permit policies in the fall of 2024 based on input from the public and the Harbor Committee. Initial permits will be issued and fees due at the town office in January 2025. Fees collected will be set aside for maintenance and operations of the facility.

There will be no fees for recreational users of the landing. The Harbor Committee and Select Board will monitor use of the facility and make adjustments to fees and use policies, as appropriate.

In addition, the town plans to develop a picnic area on the hillside lot adjacent to the landing for the public’s enjoyment. Plans for this area are currently under discussion (public input welcome!). Work on the picnic area cannot begin until after the construction and equipment are removed, so this will likely be unavailable for public use until the spring of 2025.

The acquisition and development of this waterfront property for commercial and recreational purposes is a remarkable achievement by the citizens of St. George, reflecting our commitment to our fishing heritage and protection of this way of life and resource in perpetuity. It took tremendous dedication from members of the Harbor Committee, the Select Board, town staff, and the residents of St. George to realize this dream of preserving access to the working waterfront in our community.