Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The Houghton County Marina building recently received upgrades, making the bathrooms and showers ADA compliant, as well as a new roof. Houghton County Marina subject of survey

HANCOCK — The Houghton County Marina was the subject of a recent public survey posted on the County website. The survey deadline was Aug. 15. Survey questions asked how often responders use the marina, what offerings are used during visits, what improvements are recommended and would responders support the county applying for grants with possible matching marina grants. The county would like to find ways to expand the marina.

Houghton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Tikkanen said currently there are no plans to expand the marina, but focus has been placed on improvements. “We had a nice recreation grant from the DNR to refurbish the building there,” he said, “and now it has brand new handicapped accessible bathrooms and showers.”

At the March 2019, 2024 Planning Commission meeting, the county administrator discussed the marina bathrooms were in need of updating for ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliance.

The $176,000 grant was part of a $2.6 million package of Waterways Grant Program awards announced by the DNR. It covers 10 sites in the northern part of the state.

The grant was used toward the shower and bathroom facilities at the marina compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It covered 80% of the cost, with the county paying the rest.According to the 2024-2028 Houghton County Five Year Recreation Plan, the marina was last expanded in 1976. Historically, the recreation plan says, the marina has a long waiting list for seasonal slip rentals, and past surveys indicate growth in Lake Superior and local waterway boating and boat ownership.

While he did not have the information in front of him, Tikkanen said the marina brings an approximate revenue of $100,000 to the county, and improvements continue to be made to the facility.

At the regular Aug. 15 Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Glenn Anderson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gretchen Janssen, to approve $19,650.00 for the Connectivity Upgrades for Wi-Fi at the marina, and another $16,564 was requested to pay for new windows. The motion passed unanimously.

A second motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Roy Britz to pay $15,939.05 for new windows at the Marina, which was also approved.

The marina is full-service, offering 54 slips, gas and diesel fuel, transient slips, a pump-out station, concrete boat launch ramp, picnic facilities for boaters and the public, laundry facility, ADA compliant restroom and shower facilities, and nautical charts and a lounge area. The site allows for parking (both vehicle and trailer), and the Harbormaster is on duty from May 1st through Oct. 31.