Developments for New Navy Pier Marina

Construction is expected to begin on the new Navy Pier Marina in Chicago this year. Marina developer and owner NPM Venture LLC, operating as Navy Pier Marina (NPM), has received all the final permits required to begin construction. The final design and construction plans were approved by  the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Illinois EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The new marina will offer fixed and floating piers for a total of 6,400 linear feet of broadside (side-tie) mooring for vessels up to 180’ in length. Dockside amenities will include power, water and pump-out service.

“Never before have recreational boats been allowed to moor there,” said Randy D. Podolsky, developer and manager of NPM. “Chicago lacks, despite its waterfront diversity, access to extensive amenities that every boater desires, including a first-class marina where reservations will be easily accessible online.”

The 3,300-foot-long pier on Lake Michigan, which has served many purposes since its opening in 1916, is currently home to numerous retail stores, restaurants, parks and other attractions. At over 50 acres, the pier remains an entertainment destination on the north side of the city. The new marina will be privately funded and operated by NPM.

“We are thrilled that construction of Navy Pier Marina is back on track with the support of Navy Pier and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration,” said Podolsky. “The marina is a catalyst for positive change for Chicago and its citizens as it brings the central core of the city closer to the lakefront. Navy Pier is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the central United States, but the lack of a functioning marina has prevented waterborne tourists from accessing and enjoying what it has to offer. We are eagerly anticipating the finalization of our plans to usher in a new era of maritime enjoyment for locals and tourists alike.”

Topside features of the marina will include a boater’s amenity facility equipped with restrooms, showers, a lounge and a ship’s store. The marina also plans to be pet-friendly and include a bicycle repair station.

“Adding a public marina facility has always been a long-term goal for Navy Pier,” said Marilyn Gardner, president and CEO of Navy Pier, Inc. “We look forward to clearing the final approvals and beginning construction.”