MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River in Memphis and the Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Miami is working with the City of Memphis to develop a license that will grant public access to the federally owned Auction Street Bridge boat ramp.
The license will address the Coast Guard’s right to control parking on the property, limit access during heightened security conditions and release the Coast Guard from liabilities associated with public use of the boat ramp.
In 2007, a real property audit of U.S. Coast Guard property in Memphis revealed that the Action Street Bridge boat ramp was a federally owned and was deemed unsafe and closed due to liability issues.
“The Coast Guard is committed to expediting this process and to not further limit the public’s ability to enjoy the benefits offered by the Mississippi River and the Wolfe River Chute,” said Capt. Michael Gardiner, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector Lower Mississippi River.
A license for police and fire department access has already been provided by the Coast Guard to the City of Memphis, and is currently under review by the City of Memphis. The Coast Guard expects to provide a revised version of this license to include conditions for public access within a few weeks.
