Dias Landing is one step closer to becoming a full marina following a $64,000 award from the state’s Seaport Economic Council for a feasibility study on improving the town-owned boat launch on Gulf Road.

State Senator Mark Montigny announced the grant award on February 25.

According to Director of Development Deborah Melino-Wender, the feasibility study will answer several key questions: The costs and demand of turning Dias Landing into a marina complete with docks and dockage areas, whether dredging would be required for facility improvements, environmental impacts and any impact on neighboring Apponagansett Park, and parking requirements.

The ideas the feasibility study will investigate include several key components of the Padanaram Harbor Management Plan, which contains dozens of recommendations to improve the harbor, the area surrounding it, and the local economy. 

Dartmouth will need to contribute a 20 percent match to fully fund the $80,000 study.

The funding was granted as part of a $1.4 million award for coastal infrastructure improvements all over the South Coast.

Along with Dartmouth, the Seaport Economic Council granted the town of Mattapoisett $336,000 for wharf restoration and development of a waterways plan, and awarded Fairhaven $1 million to improve Union Wharf.  

“When the legislature funded the council over 20 years ago, and in subsequent years since, we sought to make key investments in critical ports like New Bedford,” said Montigny, who helped create the Seaport Council’s initial funding in 1996. “This latest round of funding will help Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Mattapoisett plan for the future and maximize our waterfront’s economic potential.”