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Kirkland Council weighs keeping Marina Park beach open as $6.3M dock and shoreline work nears construction
Summary
City staff presented a $6.3 million Marina Park dock and shoreline renovation, including an $825,000 contaminated‑soils contingency and in‑water work tied to a July 16–March 15 fish window; councilors largely backed a staging plan that would keep beach access partially open to reduce downtown business impacts while accepting greater safety and outreach obligations.
Brian Baker, the city's CIP supervisor, told the council the Marina Park Dock and Shoreline project has a conceptual budget of $6.3 million, including an $825,000 contingency to address potential contaminated soils. He said in‑water work — including pile driving for pier repairs — is restricted to the annual July 16–March 15 fish‑window, so the city expects contractors to begin in‑water work shortly after the July 4, 2027 celebration and finish by spring 2028.
The plan divides work into upland and pier components: upland improvements include two renovated ADA stalls, ADA‑compliant pathways to the pier and stabilized shoreline with sheet‑pile wall and mitigation planting; pier work includes replacing 12 piles, reinforcing joists and steel bracing, replacing fascia boards and upgrading electrical systems. The project would also replace about 120 lineal feet of north‑beach concrete stairs, install exclusion screens and about 1,800 square feet of concrete paving near the pavilion.
The central policy choice for the council was how to stage construction around public access. Baker presented two options: a full closure and a partial‑access approach that keeps some beach access open but requires more safety precautions and public outreach. "We can't fence out the water," Baker cautioned, noting that fencing near wave action and sheet‑pile walls creates safety and nuisance risks and that people commonly breach construction fencing. He also warned that pushing the project start later in the season risks higher bids and the possibility that an unfinished in‑water phase would have to restart the following year.
Several council members said they were sympathetic to the business and public‑access impacts of a long summer closure and favored the partial‑access plan (Option B). "I am in support of Option B," Council Member Falconee said, adding that keeping the park open for part of the summer would help downtown businesses that rely on summer activity. Council Member Prim asked whether contractors could be given incentives in contract documents to finish work faster; staff said contract sequencing and incentives are possible avenues to reduce overall duration.
Parks staff warned the council that about 15 recurring events would need relocation or scaling during the July–spring construction window, but that permitted events could still use areas east of the fencing and the parking lot; staff proposed a two‑phase outreach plan, beginning immediately after this meeting, to contact known event organizers and post timely web and on‑site signage describing available amenities.
Council members pressed staff for details on staging locations and the prospect of temporary barges for in‑water work; Baker said barges are expensive to mobilize and would likely be used only for short periods when contractors must set cofferdams or drive sheet piles from the water side. He estimated a barge could be present for a few weeks during July or August if required.
The council did not take a formal vote on the Marina Park renovations within the study session; staff will use the discussion to finalize designs, outreach plans and contract language for CIP and construction procurement.
