Downtown Troy marina reopens

Partnership seeks to make the operation into a hub of activity

By Kenneth C. Crowe II

Published 6:53 pm, Tuesday, July 2, 2013Latest Ne

Troy

The Downtown Troy Marina held its grand reopening Tuesday morning with a promise of drawing new visitors to downtown.

Kayak rental and canal tours are among the new offerings at the marina in addition to the docking and boating services.

"The marina is a key component to the success of the city," Mayor Lou Rosamilia said while standing at the city-owned marina on the Hudson River.

Downtown Troy Marina, LLC, a partnership between Tom Nardacci, president of Gramercy Communications, and Jeff Buell, owner of Sequence Development, have taken over the marina operations under a one-year contract with the city.

Buell said the new partnership wants to make the marina a hub of activity downtown. Nardacci said they want to make Troy a destination for boaters.

"We have to stay in Troy," Nardacci said they want to get boaters to say.

Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino said the marina fits in with county economic development plans that seek to increase the number of tourists visiting the county.

Graftonondack Outfitters and Boat Livery and Erie-Champlain Canal Boat Co. will offer services at the marina. Also participating is Float-Tech, which provides inflatable life vests-jackets.

The city marina was hit hard two years ago by Tropical Storm Irene and reopened last summer on a limited basis. Nardacci and Buell teamed up to restore marina operations, which will have six employees and operate daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They said the showers, restrooms and water will be restored within a few days. The services were knocked out by Tropical Storm Irene.

Downtown Troy Marina received a $65,700 grant from the Troy Local Development Corp. to assist in reopening the marina.

The city plans to seek proposals later this summer for businesses interested in operating the marina.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe