Troy

The glory days of Troy's waterfront — when canal boats lined up next to ocean-going vessels, warehouses lined River Street and banks filled First Street, may be long gone.

But recreational boaters have become almost as important to the city's downtown, visiting restaurants and stores, and participating in walking tours of Troy's historic sites.

So on a rainy Tuesday morning, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden joined his sister, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, and other local officials gathered under a tarp on the Brown's Brewing Co. deck to announce the opening for the season of the Troy Downtown Marina.

The marina is still recovering from tropical storms Irene and Lee, which in 2011 destroyed many of its docks and damaged electric supplies and other infrastructure.

But other services have been restored. The marina offers boaters fuel, hot showers and bathrooms. On Tuesday, workers were installing equipment to provide boaters with wifi.

And after a $14.1 million federally funded project to rebuild 7,000 feet of seawall from Hutton Street south to the Poesten Kill is completed next year, the marina will undergo $1.1 million in improvements.

"In addition to serving as another gateway for visitors to our city, the Troy Downtown Marina provides significant economic benefits to our restaurants and small businesses," Madden said.

Boaters in the Capital Region typically spend from $935 to more than $5,200 per year, depending on the size of the boat, with 18 percent of that going to restaurant meals, another 18 percent to groceries, 8 percent to marina services, and 4 percent to lodging, according to figures from the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Another 4 percent goes to recreation and entertainment, and 3 percent to other shopping.

"We welcome visitors to come shop, dine and explore our city's creative and walkable downtown this summer," said Katie Hammon, interim director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District.

Independent boaters aren't the only ones using the marina's services.

Troy Dock Master Eric Ferraro said two cruise lines — American and Blount — also stop several times during the season.

Together, their ships visit about 20 times a year, Ferraro estimated.

Local industrial historian P. Thomas Carroll of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway leads the groups on walking tours. Passengers also visit the Rensselaer County Historical Society and other landmarks.

Next year, Madden said, the Troy river wall will be undergoing repairs, so the marina isn't expecting to operate.

But it will return the following year after repairs are complete.

The marina charges $1.50 per foot of boat length per night, and $1.25 per foot for daytime docking. Docking is free for the first three hours.

eanderson@timesunion.com • 518-454-5323