One of Brevard County's largest private marinas is still up for sale.
Auctioneers tried to sell off the 80-slip Kennedy Point Marina on South Washington Avenue Saturday for $1.5 million, but there were no takers.
Since 1986, the marina along the Indian River Lagoon overlooking Kennedy Space Center’s historic launch pads and Vehicle Assembly Building has welcomed boats as a home or place for safe harbor.
"It's a very nice marina,” said Danny Munk, a tenant. “I love living here. It's great."
But the marina didn’t always look as nice. During the recession, the marina was foreclosed on. Eighteen investors then took over the marina, installing new docks. The marina now boasts a swimming pool and two-story clubhouse.
“Most of our investors are older and after eight years, we just decided to go ahead and liquidate it,” said Carl Myers, an investor.
However, auctioning a marina isn't typical. Cliff Shuler said marina auctions only happen every two or three years in the country.
“It’s pretty unusual,” Shuler said. “We’ve been in the business 38 years and this is the first one.”
Naturally, people who live on their boats in the marina are worried about the change.
“Anxious,” said tenant Russell Hoogerwerf. “You don’t know what a new owner would do. Hopefully, they keep it a marina. Hopefully, they keep doing improvements, but you don’t know what’s going to happen until it happens.”
All marina tenants can do is hope for the best.
“My preference is that a new owner will come in with a vision to enhance what is already here,” said Bruce Ruisi, the marina’s manager. “It’s a beautiful place, those of us here love it.”
Auctioneers said they've had several interested buyers, who are still trying to gather the money for the marina.