It took 20 years of negotiating and four days to bring her down. The Old Dominion Boat Club, built in 1922 for a club formed in 1888, is no more. The City brought out the shovels yesterday to break ground for a new park that will spread across the small but ever so critical footprint between the marina and Waterfront Park.
Mixed reactions.
Understandably, some club members did not want to move. Their building was position A in Old Town and a huge perk of membership was the parking lot, there to use even if they did not go to the club.
Another perk was privacy. As one member quipped, he could stagger half-naked from boat to club, pretty much sight unseen.
On the other hand, the boat club was the nexus of the crisis for the redevelopment of the central part of the waterfront. With it gone, the city can move forward with the park. At the ceremony, you could feel a palpable sense of better days ahead.
Events Planned — A city announcement said that events being considered for the park include destination events such as a month-long beer garden in the fall, working with City breweries, a maritime festival timed for the arrival of the Tall Ship Providence in 2019, and an ice rink during the slower winter months.
Also, there's been some confusion about nomenclature. The park will be called King Street Park for the first several years, before the final name of Fitzgerald Park.
I’ll end with a memory. Several years ago I was standing at the foot of King, with the boat club to my right between the street and the marina. A couple, visiting from Warrenton, came walking down King, and walked to where I was standing. A conversation ensued. They wanted to know where the marina was...
This image is from a marker affixed to a post in Waterfront Park. View during the Civil War. You can identify that boat club's future site by following the strand and its shift at the foot of Prince.
Mostly cold but clear weather for the demolition.
Waiting for the rubble to be cleared for a even more impressive shot.
Blocking no more...
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