City engineering staff told the Dunedin City Commission on Nov. 20 that work to restore the marina after last year’s storms is proceeding but facing predictable construction obstacles and permitting timelines. Clayton Watkins, with engineering and utilities, said crews began driving piles for the bulkhead after steel delays pushed start to Oct. 13. "We were able to put the item out to bid in June 2025 and brought it in front of you on the July 17 meeting," Watkins said during the presentation.

Watkins said crews discovered an old six-inch ductile-iron fire line vulnerable to damage from pile driving and replaced it with PVC to prevent failures during construction. He also described encountering a significant rock layer around the 20-foot depth that has slowed pile driving and required more time for each segment of work.

The staff presentation covered recent milestones: the peninsula reopened to the public in May 2025; stabilization of Docks A and B was completed in June 2025; shore-power pedestals were installed in July 2025; and the Clearwater Ferry resumed service in October 2025. Watkins said the fishing pier demolition and replacement bid was advertised with a Dec. 2 closing and that replacement floating docks will be concrete rather than the prior aluminum.

City Manager Jim and staff said the master plan for docks A and B will return to the commission in a January or February workshop for direction. Watkins and other staff emphasized that final location decisions will affect Army Corps permitting requirements; staff estimated design and permitting could take roughly 18–24 months. "A lot of that design and permitting fee will kinda estimate. We put 12 to 24 months," Watkins said.

Commissioners pressed staff on sequencing, the absence and return of a large crane, whether procurement would start before master-plan adoption and potential conflicts with the boat club's work. Staff said the project manager still meets weekly with staff, the crane was expected back on site the following Monday, and procurement work on floating-dock options will include site visits to similar marinas so commissioners can evaluate the product.

Next steps: staff expects to return with a master-plan workshop early next year and to present construction awards and a refined schedule after design negotiations and permitting progress are clearer.