Troy

"Ahoy Troy," a playful spin on the "Enjoy Troy" slogan, adorns T-shirts worn by Troy Downtown Marina staff and greets boaters who tie up at the 450-foot-long dock.

That cheerfulness is needed at the marina that still recovering from the damage inflicted by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.

"We're trying to bring business downtown," said Eric Ferraro, who is in his third season as dockmaster.

The amenities the city relies on to attract boaters haven't been completely restored since Irene struck.

The Troy Local Development Corp. has granted the city $50,000 to get the marina operating this summer. The goal is to get through 2015 and turn 2016 into a major reconstruction year.

The city has $1.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to invest in reconstruction, Deputy Mayor Peter Ryan said.

Troy must to complete $9.3 million worth of repairs to its crumbling seawall before it can open upgrade the marina with new electric service, showers and bathrooms.

The upgrade will also include new docks that are 1,300 feet long, from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que north past the Green Island Bridge up to the south end of the Hedley Building.

"Once we get done, it's going to be great," Ryan said.

Meanwhile, the TLDC grants are paying for salaries and renting showers and bathrooms. Ryan said the city's plan is to pay back the TLDC with profits from selling gasoline to boaters.

The marina's goal is to attract boaters to stop for a quick visit to the city's attractions or for an overnight stay while sailing the Hudson River.

The docks filled up June 10 for the first Rockin' on the River, Ferraro said.

There has also been steady business from boaters tying up at night.

The marina is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from mid-May to November.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe