Tarpon Springs To Ask Voters To Purchase Marina In Sponge Docks

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — Tarpon Springs voters will have a chance to vote on a proposal by the city to purchase of a 1.5-acre marina for $1.55 million during the general election in November.

The Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners agreed to place the purchase of the M&M Marina on the ballot and let voters decide if it's worth buying.

The property is located across from the city's historic Sponge Docks. Proponents want to use the property for a municipal marina and boat ramp.

The proposal has the endorsement of Mayor Chris Alahouzos who said this has been on his wish list of city improvements since 2007.

“This is something we really need in Tarpon Springs,” Mayor Chris Alahouzos said in Tuesday’s meeting. “

Tarpon Springs now owns a boat ramp at Craig Park and another at Sunset Beach, but Alahouzos said it would be a feather in the city's cap to purchase this property near the Sponge Docks, which attracts thousands of tourists each year.

The commission will also ask voters to consider leasing property across from the marina to use as parking for vehicles and boat trailers. The city is proposing a 15-year lease at a cost of $24,000 a year with a 3 percent increase each year.