Norwalk committee authorizes mayor to accept Connecticut Port Authority SHIP grant for marina project

The Norwalk Public Works Committee on May 20 authorized the mayor to execute documents required to accept a Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP) grant from the Connecticut Port Authority to support a planned rebuild of the city marina.

Ken Hughes, who presented the item, described the award as a municipal grant through the Connecticut Port Authority and said it will cover a “great portion” of the marina upgrade. “This is a very exciting grant opportunity that we were awarded,” Hughes said. “We’ve been working with the design on the marina for the past two years.”

Hughes told the committee the marina redesign will combine the current north and south dock systems so people can walk the entire length of the docks, install ADA-compliant gangways, replace dock fingers, improve entrance and security hardware, and add space to accommodate some larger boats and jet-skis. He said the city will supplement the grant with capital funding. Committee members asked whether the grant amount would cover most of the project; Hughes said preliminary estimates indicated the grant would cover a substantial portion but final amounts will be known after bidding.

Hughes said the city has already notified dockholders that boats will need to be removed around Sept. 15 to allow fall construction, and that dock fees were prorated for the current season. Committee members expressed support for the project and appreciation for the advance notice to boaters. The motion to authorize the mayor to accept the SHIP grant passed unanimously.

City staff said the SHIP grant is the same type used previously for launch ramp work at Veterans Park. Construction timing described by staff aims to begin this fall and complete work before the spring boating season following contractor selection and scheduling.