Posted on June 9, 2021
JAMES CITY COUNTY — After the first phase of the James City County Marina improvement project began in November 2020, the county anticipated it nearing completion by early summer of this year.
But, after additional setbacks, JCC Parks Administrator Alister Perkinson said residents will have to wait as the county pushes back its completion date to late fall.
“So, the project has been delayed and there are really two big issues that have led to the delay,” Perkinson said.
Initially, the North Carolina-based construction firm Carolina Marine Structures, tasked with completing the first phase of the project for $3.2 million, planned to build a living shoreline that would extend out into the marina and allow higher tides to hit a planted soil area and not overwhelm the shoreline.
However, during construction the firm noticed soil conditions were not ideal at this site to construct a living shoreline. So, the firm had to redesign how it will mitigate rising water levels.
To do this, the company plans to install a rock revetment that will protect the existing shoreline but will not extend as far into the marina.
The firm also has had setbacks with the time in which materials are delivered. According to Perkinson, they have seen long delays in delivered materials, more than likely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the setbacks and changes to the living shoreline plan, the county’s general funds will need to pay an additional estimated $150,304. As for a new phase I completion date, the county anticipates late fall.
“We don’t have a reopening date right now, but we expect the work to continue through the summer,” Perkinson said. “As we go, we hope to be able to open some features of the park and then be able to finish it closer to the end of the year.”
In 2019, James City began discussions to upgrade the marina with plans to begin construction at the end of that year. After putting out bids to construction companies across the country, it had to delay the project after receiving only one qualified bid.
But, in 2020, amid the pandemic, the county received three qualified bids in August and closed on a $6 million contract with Carolina Marine Structures in October.
The marina project is expected to cost the county $6 million divided between the two phases of construction.
The first phase will include the replacement of bulkheads with the rock revetment, the demolition of all of the uncovered boat slips located at the front of the marina and replacing the existing dock with a floating dock system.
The fuel tank and pump will be relocated and the entrance road and parking lot will be paved as well as adding new pathways and lighting.
Also in Phase I, the firm plans to dredge the marina basin to improve the depth and make it easier for boats to get in and out.
Phase II is set to begin in 2023 and the plan includes replacing the two floating, covered boathouses and adding a third uncovered boat slip system, increasing the number of usable slips from 85 to 110.
Previously, to lower the costs of the project, the county extended its Phase I completion from 180 days to 220 days. According to County Administrator Scott Stevens, the longer contract time was to give them more flexibility in their scheduling which would allow for reduced costs.
But, the new delay costs are in part due to the soil conditions leading to constructability issues. Despite the setbacks, Stevens stated in an email, the county is excited to reveal the new changes to the public.
“We believe the project is back on track and hope to open parts of the marina as they are completed. All of the work related to this project at the marina should be completed by this fall,” Stevens said. “Once completed, I believe those that use the marina will be pleased with the results.”
For more information, visit jamescitycountva.gov.
Em Holter, emily.holter@virginiamedia.com, 757-256-6657, @EmHolterNews.
