Port Washington marina commissioners discuss 10-year capital plan, tenant lounge and dock upgrades
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Summary
Commissioners heard public input on a long-range vision for the marina and reviewed a draft 10-year capital improvement plan that includes a tenant-lounge and restroom renovation, replacement of windows and doors on the North/South buildings, and permanent canopy work; commissioners also reelected their chair and vice chair and approved minutes.
Port Washington Marina Commission members discussed a draft 10-year capital improvement plan and longer-term vision for the harbor at their June meeting, while also handling routine business including elections and approval of minutes.
Public comment opened with Dan Venning, Fourth District alderman, who asked the commission to define “what the premier marina on the Great Lakes look[s] like today, in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years,” and urged commissioners to work with the city’s downtown plan and the upcoming budget cycle to align capital and operating priorities. “What does the premier marina on the Great Lakes look like?” Venning asked. He encouraged the commission to review operating and capital budget requests before those go to the city finance committee.
Commission staff and members spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing draft project estimates and program priorities in the 10-year plan. Dennis (staff member) summarized contractor estimates for a renovation of tenant and public restrooms and the tenants’ lounge, which he said ranged “between 275,000 and 385,000.” Commissioners and tenants debated scope and scale: some favored enclosing the existing portico and expanding the indoor lounge and ADA-compliant restrooms rather than adding a costly second story. Tim (commission member) and others noted year-round rentable space could be a benefit but questioned whether on-site restaurants, pools or large new commercial spaces were realistic given the marina’s small footprint and nearby downtown amenities.
Commissioners also reviewed a larger exterior project for the North and South buildings that Dennis said contractors estimated at about $6,565,000. Dennis recommended grouping façade, new windows and doors, roofing and a permanent canopy structure (to replace seasonal tents) into a single winter project, with demolition in 2026 and reopening in 2027 as a potential timeline. Staff said the projects could be staged together to reduce overall disruption.
The meeting included discussion of other capital priorities and constraints raised by commissioners and tenants: the reserve fund balance (reported at about $900,000), remaining marina debt service through 2029 for the main marina and through 2034 for fuel-tank-related debt, limited expansion options because of waterfront geometry, and the operational trade-offs of replacing fixed docks with floating piers in the North Slope. Commissioners and tenants discussed technical and regulatory constraints for floating piers — including ADA ramp lengths and potential need to alter adjacent walkways or shoreline — and the potential need for engineering review to determine feasibility and cost.
The commission also considered tourism and larger harbor questions, including whether dredging or break-wall work would be necessary to attract occasional cruise or larger visiting vessels. As one participant noted, the Seaway maximum draft discussed during the meeting was about 26.5 feet, while speakers said harbor depths in some places are in the high teens, indicating dredging or other large-scale work would be needed before accommodating much larger cruise ships.
Routine business: Gerald Gruen was nominated and confirmed (uncontested) as chair and Chad (vice chairman) was nominated and confirmed (uncontested) as vice chairman. The commission approved the minutes of the prior meeting and later voted to adjourn.
Votes at a glance: - Election of chair: Gerald Gruen — nominated, seconded, and declared reelected (uncontested). (No roll-call tally provided.) - Election of vice chair: Chad — nominated, seconded, and declared reelected (uncontested). (No roll-call tally provided.) - Motion to approve minutes — moved and seconded; chair stated “motion carried.” (No roll-call tally provided.) - Motion to adjourn — moved, seconded, and approved. (No roll-call tally provided.)
The commission asked staff to develop more detailed cost estimates and engineering input on the feasibility and ADA implications of enclosing the portico, renovating restrooms and the tenants’ lounge, replacing building windows and doors, and whether floating piers could be designed for the North Slope without unduly narrowing navigation channels. Staff said some items could be winter projects if funding and schedules align. Commissioners also encouraged ongoing coordination with the city finance committee during the budget process so the marina’s capital requests align with city priorities and grant opportunities.
Quotes in this article are taken from speakers during the commission meeting.
