November 28, 2001

Public Voice Getting Louder About Waterfront Development

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina - Waterfront developers and marina owners are watching their step when it comes to dealing with the public, according to Applied Technology & Management (ATM). "The industry is definitely becoming more sensitive to public involvement," says Mark Bolchoz, senior engineer with ATM's West Palm Beach office. "A few years ago, marina developers were taking an overly aggressive approach to projects, without much regard to surrounding factors. But after so many people have seen projects fail or face opposition and even legal battles, developers are realizing that they have to deal with the public's objections, whether they like it or not."

To deal with a critical public, Bolchoz offers the following tips for waterfront developers and marina owners:

Do your homework. "Don't wait for the formal public hearing to learn what the problems are," Bolchoz says. "Deal with the issues beforehand, and when you get the public hearing, you may already know the answers to a lot of questions."

Act early. Don't leave the public to form their own opinions based on rumors and speculation. Communicating your plans to the community and soliciting their responses early in the process shows them that you value their opinions. The community may still not like your project, but it helps to be upfront with them before saying it's a done deal.

Involve activist groups. "Show the community that you're following the rules and ensuring that your project is environmentally sensitive," says Bolchoz. "Approach community, political, and environmental organizations early on to learn about the views that may play a role later in the process. Don't pit yourself against special interest groups - or you'll be in for a rough ride."