Waterways is currently building Marina Village, which will include a large dry storage facility, launching docks, a sizable retail component, eateries, fitness facilities and a park. But the facilities won’t just be for Waterways residents. Seventy percent of the storage slips will be designated for use by Bryan County residents. The remaining 30 percent will be reserved for Waterways residents.

Once completed, the project will give boats access to the Intracoastal Waterway through Redbird Creek. The dry storage area, which can house 200 boats up to 35 feet long, is estimated to be complete by late summer or early fall 2019. The other features and amenities at Marina Village are planned to open in summer 2020.

The retail portion, dubbed Cottenham Exchange, will include a general store; ship store; a small eatery that will sell items like sandwiches, ice cream and coffee; yoga and fitness studios for Waterways residents; and some open space for events.

Beside the exchange, Savannah Square Park will look out over the marina, providing splendid views as well as an airy venue for public outdoor events and gatherings.

Doug Davis, CEO of development firm Fletcher Davis, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill about the project his company is handling.

“This is such a unique proposition for us and for Bryan County at large because this facility here is not limited just to the residents of Waterways. The dry stack is going to be available to the general public as well. So this is an asset not just for Waterways, but for all of the county as well,” Davis said. He pointed out that the facility is unique not just to the immediate area, but actually, to the region as a whole due to its accessibility.

Thanks to the facility’s prime location, boaters headed out to sea won’t waste any time getting to their destination.

“You can get off work and get home by about 5 p.m. and you could walk out of your backyard, take about 50 steps, get in your boat, idle your boat back and, realistically, by about 5:45 p.m., you could be in the Atlantic Ocean,” Davis said. “There’s nowhere, that I’m aware of, that you can do that all throughout the Southeast.”

Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor agreed that the new Marina Village will be a draw for residents and visitors alike once it’s up and running.

“This project will end up being a wonderful public resource for anyone who’s interested. Even those who don’t own boats can enjoy some shopping, lunch or other leisure pursuits,” Taylor said. “We’re proud to have the marina going up here and we think that it will be valued by members of our communities and those around us.”

For more information about Bryan County, visit www.bryancountyga.org. For more information about Waterways, please visit www.livewaterways.com.