Cost rises, completion delayed for docks at Lakeview Park Marina
The cost has escalated again for Lakeview Park Marina’s new floating dock system, this time by $480,000.
Originally pegged to cost $3 million last summer, the cost rose to $5 million once tenders came in higher than expected last fall. The additional $480,000 — approved by council without discussion at a special meeting Wednesday — brings the budget to $5.48 million.
An unexpected upgrade required for the marina’s electrical system is the main reason for the extra cost. That electrical work, as well as possible delays in the delivery of materials due to coronavirus concerns, will delay completion. The marina was supposed to be ready for use again by the start of the boating season this spring, although coronavirus concerns may have kept it closed in any case.
“The exact amount of time for the delay is not yet known,” an administrative report to council says.
Record-high water levels submerged the city-owned marina’s docks last spring, making them unsafe due to electrical issues and forcing their closure for the entire boating season. The best solution to dramatically fluctuating water levels — suggested by city officials and approved by council on June 3 — was replacing the existing 39-year-old fixed dock system with a floating system.
Work on the docks is largely done.
“The majority of the demolition is completed and the majority of the actual (floating) docks are in place,” the city’s senior manager of facilities, Tom Graziano, said
Wednesday.
Construction of the new dock system began in January. In mid-february, the electrical subcontractor, Four-o-one Electric, discovered an electrical upgrade would be required, “in order to meet marina needs and codes.”
Final estimates arrived this month. The electrical upgrade will cost $280,000 and an additional $200,000 was added to a contingency fund to pay for any additional unexpected costs.
However, the city is holding out hope that an insurance claim it made on the damaged dock system will come through to help offset costs. Graziano said the city doesn’t know how much it may receive.
“Obviously, we’re hoping as much as possible, but we don’t know the dollar amount.”
The old docks could hold 208 boats and were usually fully rented for the season. The new design called for 222 boat slips, many of them able to accommodate bigger boats up to 60 feet in length. When completed, the 222 boat slips would generate $360,000 in annual revenue.