Green Oak gives up-close look at new marina center

This view shows the south side of the marina where glass garage doors will open onto a patio with gas fireplaces and seating at Fort Madison's new marina.

Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

A boat pulls in to the new marina for fuel on its trek up the river Thursday in Fort Madison, with the new jetty wall trail and the BNSF double decker swing span bridge in the backdrop.

Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

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Changing the Direction

I think from the moment we saw the original renderings of what the marina was going to become, we immediately perked up as seeing this as something that will change the direction of the town. Bringing some life back to our riverfront.”

Chris Swed, Marina restaurant operator

Out of flood plain

We don’t envision flooding being an issue with the building, and the park is well above the 100-year flood plain.”

Michael Mohrfeld, President Green Oak Development

FORT MADISON – A drive eastbound on Avenue H on the east end of Fort Madison has provided an exterior look at what’s happening with the city’s $14 million marina renovation.
But last week stakeholders in the project, including Mayor Matt Mohrfeld and Green Oak Development CEO Michael Mohrfeld, gave an up-close look at the project that’s just about six months from completion.
Green Oak Development of Fort Madison is the general contractor on the hospitality center project.
The for-profit venture that includes the hospitality center currently under construction is planned to open when boating season kicks off in the spring of 2024, Michael Mohrfeld said.
Mayor Mohrfeld touted the success of the public/private partnership in bringing the Fort Madison Marina to fruition. He said the city’s commitment of $1.5 million in seed money to the reconstruction of the marina itself, was crucial in leveraging the rest of the money privately. The city’s portion was part of the funding needed to rebuild the physical marina. The hospitality center is being funded totally by the private for-profit group that will run the facility.
The city leased the marina entirely to the non-profit charitable group Southeast Iowa Aquatic Restoration Group for one dollar per year. The 501c3 is run by a board of directors that includes Andrew McFall, local realtor Kara Morrow, Bob Huffman of Huffman Welding & Mfg representing Fort Madison Economic Development, and Mayor Morhfeld. Since that time, Steve Link, Michael Mohrfeld, and Bob Schierbrock of Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, have been added to the board of directors.
The address listed for the Aquatic Group by the Secretary of State's office is Fort Madison City Hall at 811 Avenue E.
The group was incorporated on May 10, 2021 and has a 25-year lease with the city. The current agreement allows for another 25-year extension. The city is the landlord of the marina property, including the refurbished park and all properties along the riverfront, and maintains ownership of all assets and improvements.
The Aquatic group has exclusive rights to the Marina facility under the terms of the lease, but non-exclusive use of all other common areas. The lease gives the Aquatic group authority to renovate, develop, operate, and manage the marina, including boat docks, fuel docks, and food and beverage services, entertainment facilities, marine retail and repair businesses, and other services relating to the operation of the marina. The group is also responsible for all utilities and services on the property, and all insurances.
The lease agreement is signed by Matt Mohrfeld on behalf of both entities as Mayor of Fort Madison, and as President of Southeast Iowa Aquatic Group, Inc.
The Aquatic Group has entered into a lease with the for-profit private group that will own and operate the restaurant and bar area. The stakeholders at the tour on Thursday couldn’t provide the name of that private entity. That agreement has not been made available to the public, but is a private agreement between a for-profit and a non-profit and not subject to Iowa open records laws.
Chris and Maddie Swed were announced Thursday as the operators of the center to include the event center, restaurant, and bar. The couple already operate Swed & Co. Coffee and the Fox Theater in downtown Fort Madison.
Chris said he didn’t feel stretched too thin taking on another operation in town, but said it took more than a month to agree to become the operator.
“I think from the moment we saw the original renderings of what the marina was going to become, we immediately perked up as seeing this as something that will change the direction of the town. Bringing some life back to our riverfront,” he said.
“For the eight years we’ve been here, the riverfront has always been one of our favorite places to go as a family and spend time outside. We’re excited to play a role and bring good food, drinks, and atmosphere.”
Swed said he didn’t want to reveal much about the menu and the operations of the restaurant, but did say they are looking at upscale bar food and more traditional dinner options. Hours and staffing are to be determined at a later date.
Attracting good workers has been a concern locally since the pandemic put everyone at home, but Swed said creating a fun environment in which to work, and also having the wonderful location and view and unique nature of the facility, will help bring in a solid staff.
“I anticipate being able to find people who see this as a place they want to work. And then we can continue to facilitate that work environment that you want to keep working at. It’s something we’ve definitely given a lot of thought to.”
He said the new restaurant will fill a need in Fort Madison proper, but he thinks it will pull in people from all around the area.
“It’s an absolute destination and that’s what we’re so excited about,” he said.
Glass garage doors will be installed that can be opened on the south side of the center to 6,500 square feet of patio space with gas fire pits. Michael Mohrfeld said small bands or one-man bands can set up and play while people are eating or gathering on the patio.
Mohrfeld addressed the potential of flooding of the property.
“1993 and 2008 are noted as the largest floods Fort Madison’s seen and, right now, we’re standing two feet above that mark,” he said standing out on the new patio. “Two feet doesn’t sound like a lot, but I can tell you that we’re standing at where Casey’s is, so if Casey’s floods, we're in trouble.”
He said this spring there was some considerable flooding and the new park was four or five feet out of that flooding.
“We don’t envision flooding being an issue with the building, and the park is well above the 100-year flood plain,” he said.
The marina now holds 172 boats, almost doubling previous capacity. While giving the tour, a larger boat moving up the river pulled into the marina and gassed up for the next leg of the excursion.
“Guys, that’s a boat that would not have gotten in here four years ago,” Michael said. “We were down to pontoon boats not being able to get in here. That boat needs three and a half, four feet of water draft to get in here. So just getting that boat in here is a big deal.  Next year those boaters will be able to come in, use the restroom, shower facilities, and then of course, have access to a full kitchen.”
The northwest corner will be a large marina sales room, which is next to the public access on the north side.
On the west end of the 12,000 square foot facility will be an event center that could be rented out for parties, weddings, graduations, etc, with an open south view that looks out over Pool 19, the newly completed recreational trail/jetty wall, and one of the best views of the only double decker swingspan bridge in the country.