The Straits State Harbor building at Mackinaw City uses several energy saving techniques such as light sensors, wind turbines, and timed showers. The revamped Straits State Harbor in Mackinaw City was opened for public tours Saturday, July 18, and is expected to soon be open for mariners. Visitors were shown the many amenities available to boaters and the array of energy efficient initiatives taken during the $10.6 million public marina's construction.

The main building features a lounge for use by boaters moored at the harbor. Mariners will be able to relax upon the Michiganmade furniture made from recycled materials and receive updates on the current conditions of the lake.

The lounge uses as much natural lighting as possible owing to multiple large windows lining the walls and solar tubes placed on the ceiling. The tubes gather sunlight from the outside, focus and amplify it, and stream it into the lounge through a fixture. The lounge required no electrical lighting despite Saturday being a heavily overcast day.

Many of the facilities throughout the building are automated. Electrical lighting is controlled through light and motion sensors. The restroom areas, available to boaters only, contain automated toilets, and the showers are timed to reduce the amount of water used.

The walkways surrounding the facility are lined with solar powered lights that gather energy in the morning and use it to illuminate the area at night. The lights are capable of gathering solar energy during overcast days.

The floating docking area can accommodate 30- to 60-foot boats, and has 130 slips available for rental. The docks will not be removed during the winter, and a bubbler system will stir the water and prevent the formation of ice.

Eight "Sky Stream" wind turbines will provide 40% to 60% of the energy the harbor will require. The turbines also power the bubbler system beneath the floating docks. Energy not used by the harbor will be funneled into Mackinaw City.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration installation can be found by the harbor. The station will gather information on lake conditions such as the water level, temperature, and wind speed and direction, and provide it to sailors.

A final inspection of the waterlines around the docks must be performed before the slips will be available for rental. Ron Olson, Department of Natural Resource chief of parks and recreation officer, expects the slips to be ready the week of July 27.

The marina, operated by the DNR, has been expanded from

104 slips to accommodate an anticipated increase in boater traffic to the area. Work began in 2006 with the construction of an outer breakwall, followed by a new boat launch area.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place following the tour. Members of the Department of Natural Resources, Mackinaw City Village Council, the Waterways Commission, and State Representative Howard Walker were among those present for the event.