The North Beach Pier is great for fishing and if the town’s mayor has his way folks who make a big catch of another kind will be using the structure, too. North Beach Mayor Mark Frazer elaborated on his vision for making the bayside town into a wedding destination during a town council work session Thursday, Feb. 2. Frazer initially revealed the initiative during his “State of the Town” report during the January town meeting.
“This plan is very important to the future of the town’s economy,” said Frazer, who made it clear the ultimate objective would be to construct a pavilion on the pier as a venue. “We do not want to get into the wedding planning business. We can refer them to wedding planners.”
Frazer suggested the town “test the viability” of the project by putting up a tent instead of building a permanent structure. The mayor would first like to see if there are local businesses interested in participating in a campaign to promote North Beach as a wedding destination. Additionally, the mayor will contact Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. [D-District 27] about sponsoring a bond bill in the Maryland General Assembly for improvements on and near the pier. The improvements would include a 10.5- foot lower fishing deck and a stone breakwater.
Frazer noted that while “overnight accommodations” are lacking in North Beach, investors would be interested in building a hotel in town if the wedding destination initiative catches fire.
Town Councilmember Ken Wilcox admitted the best part of the plan, in his view, was the shoring up of the pier. “I have concerns about a fixed structure,” said Wilcox. “But I like the concept.”
Councilmember Randy Hummel said a permanent structure on the pier could also provide a better venue for concerts in the town.
Frazer asked for a general consensus from the five councilmembers at the work session to forward a request for the bond bill and no one voiced an objection.
“We have a lot to offer and it would benefit our community,” said Frazer of the wedding destination plan.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
