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Portland Fish Pier board approves $2 million grant application and hires Tech Associates after inspection warns Service Pier 1 unsafe
Summary
After Tech Associates’ inspection found heavy corrosion on Service Pier 1, the Portland Fish Pier Authority authorized submitting a $2,000,000 Maine DOT working‑waterfront grant application and contracted Tech Associates for scoping and design work (design fee ~ $71,687); the motion passed unanimously.
The Portland Fish Pier Authority voted Feb. 23 to submit an application for the Maine Department of Transportation Working Waterfront Infrastructure Fund and to contract Tech Associates to do scoping, design, permitting and construction oversight for replacement work on Service Piers 1 and 3.
Tech Associates’ Gabriel Lambert and Gordon told the board their inspection — conducted by boat, kayak and underwater drone — found heavy corrosion on pile flanges and bracing around the high‑tide line. Lambert said parts of the flange are “pretty close to 0” in places and that localized failures could cascade; Gordon said the recommendation is that “Service Pier 1 … is no longer used for berthing or ships tying up.”
Heather, the city’s project lead on the grant application, told the board the fund’s full award is $2,000,000 and that the program reimburses expenditures; applications are due March 11. She said the proposal is a strong fit because the grant explicitly funds resilience to climate change and sea‑level rise. Board members discussed permitting requirements (DEP, Army Corps, harbor master and likely NOAA/ESA review because of funding) and the impact of permitting timelines on the project schedule.
Meredith moved to approve filing the application and to authorize Tech Associates to perform scope and design work; the board approved the motion by roll call, 7–0. Board materials and discussion identified a design contract budget in the neighborhood of $71,687 for plans, specs, permitting and construction oversight. Rob said the city will need to provide a roughly 5% match as a condition of the grant, and Heather recommended preparing the design work so construction can proceed rapidly if the award is received.
Board members asked staff to convene a stakeholder meeting with vessel operators and vessel services before finalizing any design changes. Phil, speaking for public works operations, outlined a two‑phase construction timeline for related stormwater work and said if work is staged properly the parking lot will be restored in the interim.
The board approved both submitting the grant and contracting Tech Associates. The next steps identified were: finalize a scope and budget for the Tech Associates contract, confirm funding sources (city match and capital funds), and schedule stakeholder outreach to vessel operators and vessel services.
The board voted to move forward with the grant application and contract authorization; construction timing will depend on permitting and award decisions.
