Posted on July 28, 2020
The town marina project continues to move ahead of schedule, even with new health guidelines to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
Deputy Town Manager Jay Boodheshwar gave an update for the project at a virtual meeting Friday, saying the project is moving quickly.
Because some parts of the project are underway at the same time, such as demolition, dredging and installation of the seawall, it has allowed construction to move ahead of schedule, Boodheshwar said.
In addition, construction workers and everyone on site is practicing social distancing and wearing masks, complying with both the town and Palm Beach County’s emergency ordinances.
The upgraded marina is scheduled to open in September 2021.
The demolition of Australian Avenue and Peruvian Avenue docks is almost complete, and the building of the new dock has started, while Florida Power and Light is energizing existing transformers to keep pump stations active, Boodheshwar said.
In June, the town reported the dredging was in progress at the same time as the demolition of the existing docks, and it was going smoothly.
“The dredging is going very well so far, and the contractor has not run into any issues with the material,” he said. “Sometimes there’s a concern they may hit some rocky spots but so far so good.”
The 84 slips of the new marina will be expanded to allow larger boats; floating docks will replace the stationary docks; a fourth dock will be added at the north end of the marina, and a new security system will be installed.
A major concern for residents has been the possibility of losing parking spaces along the west side of Lake Drive Park. Boodheshwar said there’s both long- and short-term effects the construction will have on parking.
“While construction is going on, the public parking on the west side of the road is claimed for the project, so there is no parking at this time. Some of these spaces were used by employees of some of the businesses and some residents, and they have been relocated to Cocoanut Row. There haven’t had any concerns expressed about that,” Boodheshwar said in June.
First built in the 1940s, the docks have been expanded and updated, with the last renovations conducted in 1993 and 1998, each time reusing the existing concrete piles and pile caps, which are now more than 60 years old, according to the town.
Source: palmbeachdailynews
