The City of Marysville agreed in mid-July to purchase the Geddes Marina from the family that has owned it since the 1930s for $1.9 million, settling a 4-year-old lawsuit brought by the Geddes family against the City.

The family had sued the city over a surface water issue.

According to Gloria Hirashima, Marysville's chief administrative officer, discussions about purchase of the marina began in 2007, in part because the city's downtown stormwater drains into the marina.

Boat owners with current leases at the marina will have until October 31 to make alternate arrangements for moorage. The site is home to 47 leased boat slips.

The riverfront area is included in the city's Downtown Master Plan, which envisions a waterfront trail or boardwalk in addition to recreational and residential uses.

The planned cleanup process, said Hirashima, will include both structural and environmental projects. Additional improvements or changes to the marina area, which covers approximately five acres, will be communicated to tenants as plans develop.

The Geddes family attorney, Catherine Clark, categorized the sale of the property as "the best outcome for my clients."

"I hope the city chooses to retain the property's rich history as they develop the site," said Clark.

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