(Credit: Courtesy Google Earth, 2023)
Castaway Marina on Lake George's Warner Bay is in the lower right corner. Route 9L snakes through the trees to the right of the marina. (Pilot Knob road runs along the top of the image.)
Castaway Marina expanding quick launch business
Castaway Marina on Route 9L has gained a site plan approval and special-use permit with a duration of three years to increase their quick launch business from 10 to 50 boats and winter storage from 27 to 75 boats.
“There isn’t any significant on-site improvements. It’s more operational,” said Castaway Attorney Matthew Fuller. “What we’ve seen is a desire for quick launch.”
Quick launch is viewed as simple and expedient, according to Fuller.
This is strictly a person hooks their trailer up to their vehicle with the boat on it, drop the boat in the water, and then go park the vehicle, Fuller said.
Castaway Marina was originally seeking a permanent special-use permit, but the planning board decided that a three-year trial period to test the viability of the increase is more prudent.
“I like the concept, but with a two or three year trial to see how taxing it becomes to the town and the lake,” said Bradley Magowan.
Magowan’s biggest issue was the density between the boat increase, parking, the heavy traffic on Route 9L, and the potential blind spot bend in the road in the area. Fellow board member David Deeb also supported the three year trial period.
“We’re not proposing anything that is additional use. We’re just utilizing the existing parking. The reality is the marina isn’t going to have any more boats launched than they have for parking. They’re not going to exceed the parking on the site,” Fuller concluded.
After the three years is up, Castaway Marina can return to the planning board to be re-evaluated for a possible permanent special-use permit.
The Body Barre Dance Studio is leaving Aviation Mall for Cronin Road
The Body Barre Dance Studio will relocate from Aviation Mall to 17 Cronin Road next to the Stewart’s Shops and bank strip mall at the corner of Cronin and Bay roads. The building at 17 Cronin Road was previously office space held by the Social Security Administration.
Body Barre will reuse the interior of the 11,785-square-foot building for its dance studio, associated office, and reception area, according to Land Use Planner Laura Moore.
“The building had a significant water main break about eighteen months ago,” said Project Architect Ethan Hall. “When Social Security left, they turned the heat way down and the water pipes burst, flooding the building.”
“The bottom 30 inches of sheet rock in the entire building has been taken out to prevent mold,” Hall continued. The interior is currently under repair.
There will be a rearrangement of interior partitions to divide what was formerly wide open offices into dance studios for up to 25 people in each of the two larger dance rooms and between 8 and 12 people in the smaller studios, according to Hall in project documents.
Aside from signage, the exterior will remain unchanged.
"We wanted our permanent home — and to invest into our own property. Aviation Mall was the only way we really could have afforded to start the business as dance studios operate at very narrow profit margins, but require a lot of space which would equate to a very expensive lease. We were able to acquire about 8,000 sq. ft. at a very reasonable rate doing a specialty lease at Aviation Mall, which made it possible for us to start and grow. Now, we move on!" co-owner Annie Bennett wrote in a message to FoothillsBusinessDaily.com earlier today. She owns the company with Katie Langdon.
The Queensbury Planning Board was thrilled that a local business would occupy the vacant building. They unanimously approved the site plan.
“It’s good to see the building back into use again,” said Vice Chairman David Deeb.
“What a great reuse! Thank you,” Bradley Magowan told the owners at the meeting.
Editor's Note: We updated this story shortly after publication with a quote from the Body Barre's Annie Bennett.