(New Buffalo, MI) - The transient marina office building operated by the city of New Buffalo has partially reopened following an August 28 fire.

 

City Manager Dave Richards said the office on the east side of the structure was back in service for issuing permits to rent slips to visitors in the transient marina prior to the busy Labor Day weekend.

 

Richards said that portion of the building did not sustain any fire damage but there were electrical issues repaired that allowed the lights in the office to come back on.

 

The restrooms, showers and laundry room in the structure are still out of service.

 

Portable restrooms with shower facilities were placed on the west side of the building just prior to the start of the weekend to serve boaters renting slips in the transient marina.

     

Richards said the portable facilities with running water and electricity were provided by Joy’s Johns for $2,200 a week until October 15 when the marina office building traditionally closes for the season depending on the weather.

 

The cost of the portable facilities is being paid for by the city’s insurance provider, he said.

 

“They have regular stalls and they’re modern and they’re clean and they have showers as well.  It’s a real nice facility,” Richards said.

 

No portable laundry facilities are being provided.

 

Richards said the fire damage above the ceiling in one of the restrooms was limited to the insulation and some of the joists in wooden structure along with parts of the electrical system.

 

He did not know when the entire building will reopen since the damage and how to go about the repairs were still being assessed.

 

“We’ll get some quotes and decide how to proceed with repairs,” he said.

 

The cause of the fire was blamed on an overheated fan in the ventilation system for the restrooms.