City staff told the commission on Sept. 3 that the riverfront’s floating-dock situation and related environmental compliance work could require significant remediation costs and that consultants are helping to identify solutions intended to reduce the financial burden.

Why it matters: The riverfront docks and adjacent facilities affect waterfront access, event programming and permitting. Staff said the Army Corps of Engineers and environmental regulators have required remediation or mitigation for long-standing dock installations.

What staff presented: Staff described an ongoing compliance and permitting process with the Army Corps and an engineering consultant. Staff said the city received notice that some dock installations were not properly permitted and that a damaged permanent dock—part of a cluster that had accrued over many years—was destroyed by a hurricane. Staff said consultants were evaluating options that might include “land credits” or other mitigation strategies; staff warned one line item could include a $170,000-plus remediation estimate and that a larger maintenance/permits line reached $243,000 in the draft budget because it also included other riverfront projects.

Playgrounds and splash pad: Separately, staff said many city playgrounds are near or past their service life and presented a rough estimate that replacing playground equipment at several parks could cost roughly $230,000. Commissioners and staff discussed Booker Park as the intended location for a previously approved splash pad project, with the city having previously directed the project to move forward; staff said the splash pad remains in the CIP at an estimated capital cost of $375,000 while related maintenance lines and permitting are budgeted in other GL accounts.

Safety and short-term fixes: Staff detailed short-term measures such as improving lighting, installing barriers at damaged retaining walls and deploying temporary on-site patrols and signage. Commissioners asked the city to add life-saving throw devices to piers and to evaluate solar lighting options; staff said they would research feasible products and report back.

Next steps: Staff will continue working with the consultant and the Army Corps, seek final mitigation options and return to the commission with permit-based cost estimates. Booked CIP projects such as the Booker Park splash pad will proceed in coordination with grant and financing sources.

Ending: The commission heard that remediation could be expensive and time-consuming and that staff are investigating options to limit the city’s exposure while complying with federal and state requirements.