A man opens a gate to a boat launch at the Dunkirk Marina. Photo by M.J. Stafford

New Dunkirk Marina leaseholder Pete Smith is set to offer a presentation about his plans at the next Common Council meeting.

“We anticipate having a presentation from Mr. Smith on the 18th,” city attorney Michael Bobseine said at this week’s council meeting.

The property transfer happened last week and Bobseine pointed out Smith has already done some work on the west end of the property.

“In talking with the mayor and (Planning and Development Director Vince) DeJoy, there’s some really exciting things possible,” Bobseine said.

“Within four days, the activity’s been down there because I see it every day,” Councilwoman Nancy Nichols said. “It is remarkable what can happen in four days that has not taken place in seven or eight years.”

“We’re optimistic,” Bobseine said. “Mr. Smith has a nice record locally. He’s a graduate of Fredonia, he lives in Forestville, has a three-generation masonry business… his son has a charter (boat) on the Marina. He’s really invested and I believe that you are going to appreciate him.”

“We’re going to look forward to that presentation. It’s nice to hear we have someone we can work with,” Councilman-at-Large David Damico said.

Nichols asked earlier, “I just want to know who has the obligation to let all of council know what is going on with the Marina — instead of us hearing about it from the charter boat captains, the newspaper, the people on the street.”

“The mayor asked me to send out a memo to the council. I would hope that everyone received that. It was in response to the article in the newspaper,” Bobseine said.

The attorney said the city was not able to comment when the article ran, because the closing had not happened.