For now, price is not quite right

SNEADS FERRY - The B.F. Millis Seafood Project has the potential to offer waterfront access to more than 150,000 people, according to a project proposal submitted by Onslow County Planning and Development.

But first the state and the owners of Millis Seafood need to meet on a sales price for the Sneads Ferry property.

The N.C. General Assembly approved in 2007 a total of $20 million to purchase property to provide water access to groups including commercial and recreational fishermen, pier fishermen, recreational boaters and the marine industry.

Thirteen sites were selected for funding based on proposals from the Waterfront Access Study Committee. The Millis project is the only one from Onslow County that made the list.

Tim Millis, the owner of the three properties that comprise the project, agreed to sell the property to the state for $6.5 million. His intent to sell letter, dated Feb. 11, 2008, is valid for six months.

The N.C. Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund, administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries, approved $3 million of the $6.5 million requested for the project site.

Located along Mullet Lane in Sneads Ferry, the three Millis parcels total 2.66 acres, lie alongside the New River and contain more than 900 feet of waterfront.

Millis operates a seafood house, warehouse and docks on the property, presently used by 31 boats. During hurricanes and other dangerous storms, the site provides a safe harbor to more than 50 boats.

Matthew Stewart, an Onslow County planner who helped draft the proposal, said the state hired an independent appraiser, and he expects the appraisal will be done in the next few weeks.

"My understanding is that the state and the owner will enter into negotiations after that appraisal is received," Stewart said.

If the state successfully negotiates a price with Millis, the project will include a single boat ramp, maintenance of the 36 existing docks, a parking lot with 19 to 20 additional spaces large enough for commercial fishermen to park a truck and trailer and bathroom facilities on-site, Stewart said.

Nancy Millis, Tim Millis' daughter, has been involved with Stewart during the proposal-writing process. She said she received an e-mail from Stewart about the funding and knows the appraisal is the next step of the process.

She said they would not accept $3 million. Instead, the family plans to wait until the appraisal is complete and hear what the state has to say in negotiations.

"I think it will be between (the state) and the county - to see if the county will contribute any money," Nancy Millis said. "(Onslow County Board of Commissioners Chairman) Lionell Midgett was here beforehand, and he said he thought the county would be interested in helping."

Midgett said he feels the property is valuable.

"It's worth saving - it's one of the only safe harbors left around here, and it's the only viable piece of property in an inland area that is deep enough for the large fishing boats," Midgett said. "We've got $3 million, that's almost half; maybe we can look into finance grants or tourism funds. We'll have to wait and see what the state negotiates."

Midgett would like to see public support for the purchase.

"The public needs to get really excited about the prospect of this, and maybe we can get some politically influential people behind it," he said. "I think that will help."

Stewart said regardless of whomever contributes money, the property would be deeded to the state and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission would assume ownership.

"I'm sure once the appraisal is complete, the state will want to move fairly quickly on this," Stewart said.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.