Water Authority Discusses Projects w/Brandenburger

Effingham Water Authority trustees heard from Noah Brandenburger of Lakeside Marina at this month's board meeting.

Brandenburger spoke to the Board about improvements at the Marina, including an upgrade to the fuel island slated for spring and that a new metal roof has been put on the restaurant building. He asked that the reduced rate of rent should be continued for another years. The Board instead approved a one-year extension.

Brandenburger told the board that the restaurant sub-lease has not been renewed, and asked instead to convert the building to living quarters and operate an AirBnB. The Board has reservations regarding allowing the AirBnB. 

Brandenburger was also like to install RV hookups for a campground, HOA-style, on the property. The Board was not in favor of adding a campground due to previous experiences.

Regarding the restaurant building, they wanted to know whether EWA had to approve the new owners before subleasing. The Water Authority would have to approve the new owner of the sublease. If they were to open the building as a bar and grill under their liquor license, they would have to let the Water Authority know,

The possibility of residential lots was also mentioned.

Also, no written communication has been received back from Wabash Fiber regarding an agreement, but verbal approval has been received, and construction has started on Lakeview Drive.

The Board heard that there has been no additional work on the Winterrowd property on Court Six, but the project is nearing completion so the decision was reached not to continue a court case in the matter. 

Also, Travis Bushue addressed the Board regarding purchasing a portion of Lot 9 Pearson and Casella owned by the Water Authority. Bushue would like to build his dock in the center of the cove and run seawall on Water Authority property. The Board will schedule a time to look at the property before making a decision.