Council asks staff to study dry‑stack boat storage; raises questions on location, height, financing and pedestrian safety

Harbormaster Scott Wilkins presented options to remove the closed small‑boat launch and to study a dry‑stack boat storage building at the Des Moines Marina during the Feb. 13 council meeting.

Wilkins told council the small‑boat launch has been closed since June 2022 for safety reasons and that removal of the existing timber superstructure and creosote pilings is estimated at about $350,000; if contractors cannot complete removal within the city’s current permit window, mobilization and demobilization could add roughly $134,000.

Wilkins presented an engineer estimate for a new steel‑pile concrete deck launch (roughly $1.2 million for piling and deck) and described a model dry‑stack building similar to facilities at Bayside (Everett) that could be about 60 feet by 270 feet and roughly 35 feet tall. He said such a building could hold an estimated 70–200 boats depending on the mix of boat sizes and suggested rack‑rental prices in a broad range (approximately $275–$788 per month depending on unit size and indoor/outdoor options). Wilkins said a negative‑forklift system costs about $1 million alone; a total project estimate cited in the presentation was about $3.3 million including racks, structure and equipment.

Council members raised multiple concerns and asked staff to study several issues before returning with a feasibility analysis. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz and others said the council needs clearer information about where a building would sit, how tall it would be relative to private condos and the marina office, and whether excavation or lower building profiles could reduce view impacts. Councilmembers asked staff to model sightlines from known condo vantage points and to provide renderings or flyovers for the options council is seriously considering.

Safety and operations were recurring themes. Council asked how often forklifts or lifts would cross public pedestrian paths, what traffic control or gates would be required, and the liability and insurance implications of operating large lifting equipment adjacent to public walkways. Councilmember Mahoney suggested examining whether maritime maintenance, retail or a multi‑purpose building could be co‑located with storage to increase revenue and activate the marina floor.

Private operations and financing were discussed repeatedly. Councilmember Nutting and Councilmember Rockseer suggested the city evaluate lease or long‑term private partnerships to reduce the city’s capital burden — including 99‑year leases or private operators that would invest in equipment and operations. Councilmembers also asked staff to analyze a phased or lower‑cost raising‑revenue approach (for example an initial, lower‑profile building that could be expanded) and to include operational scenarios if the city ran the facility versus contracting a private operator.

Public comment tied to the marina item also appeared during the public comment period. Resident Bill Linscott, who said he has been a Des Moines resident for 22 years and a boater for 18, told council: “Having a land‑based kind of launch-and‑go facility like these boat stacks make a lot of sense.” He urged the city to finish a marina plan to answer questions about siting, staging and enterprise‑fund financing.

Staff returned with a list of suggested feasibility questions for council consideration and council provided direction to include the following in a feasibility study: alternate locations (existing shed area versus the full marina floor and potential southern yard space), optimal structure height and roof profile, view‑impact modeling (sightlines from condos and Cliff Avenue), options to beautify facades, capacity scenarios (boats per building and unit sizes), expected capital and operating costs (including forklift maintenance and parts lead times), revenue projections and return‑on‑investment timelines, permitting and pad requirements, and possible public‑private partnership or lease models. Council asked for clarity on where any new revenue could legally be applied within the marina enterprise fund.

Why it matters City staff said the existing small boat launch and timber structures are reaching the end of their service life; council members noted the project intersects with long‑term marina capital work and that decisions on storage and launch replacement will affect slip availability, revenue and views for adjacent properties.

Next steps Staff said they will return with a feasibility study and additional renderings and cost models reflecting the location and design options council prioritized.