Residents in Mariner’s Village are tired of waiting for the Copeland family to fix problems with their marina, and they have sought out the City of Mandeville’s help.

Michael Pulaski said when the marina was first put in and envisioned “it was an absolute jewel for the Northshore.”

However over the past 10 or so years that jewel has turned into an eyesore. “Our diamond has turned into a piece of coal,” he told the Mandeville City Council Thursday night while showing them pictures of a deteriorating bulkhead and dilapidated piers.

He said in the late 1990s the area was a “hustling, thriving marina,” but in early 2000 it started deteriorating and nothing has been done to fix the problems, which have exacerbated over the years.

The have tried unsuccessfully since 2001 to get the Copeland family, who owns the marina, to make the necessary repairs, and now, they said, the area is not only an eye-sore but also a serious safety hazard with eroding lawns and piles of debris.

Tonya Zellner, president of the Tops’l Board, said promises of work made by Al Copeland and his heirs have gone undone for years.

She presented correspondence between the city and the Copeland family dated in 2001 and 2004, where work was requested and promised.

In 2004, the Copeland attorney acknowledged that damage was caused by past storms and insurance claims were made, she wrote in that letter that once the estate received a check from the insurance the work would be done.

Pulaski said the work was never started, prompting the homeowner’s association to spend approximately $10,000 of its own money to patch up large holes caused by erosion behind the failed bulkhead. Pulaski said the marina is literally unusable at this time because it has silted in to a point that boats cannot enter or exit it.

Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price said he talked to Al Copeland Jr. as recently as one month ago, and at that time the younger Copeland said he was appalled at what he saw at the marina and he had plans to not only repair the damage but to also make major improvements to the area.

“He said he wants it to be a first class marina,” Price told residents. However, Price said they might have to wait a while before they notice much of an improvement.

Price said Al Copeland Jr. told him his dad’s estate had yet to be settled and until it is he cannot spend much money on the property.

He has agreed to make some improvements, which include tearing down two dilapidated docks, clearing up the debris caused by fallen piers and repairing the electrical system along the marina. Price said Copeland has agreed to begin that work as early as July 1.

Zellner said that would do little to address her safety concerns but any work at all would be welcomed. However, she doubts anything will be done.

“They’ve made promises in the past,” she said.

Price acknowledged the city has been lax in doing its part to ensure the Copeland family maintains this property properly, but he said that will be no more.

“They said they would be here in July so I expect them to be here in July,” he said.

“If they are not in here in a week we will move forward with the condemnation process.”

Price explained this is a private matter between the residents and the marina owner, and the city’s only leverage is to condemn the marina and shut it down.

He said because of safety concerns, if the Copeland family does not fix the problems the city will do the work and then in turn bill the estate.

Price also agreed to schedule a meeting with residents and the Copeland family’s attorneys in order to demand a plan for the future of the marina.