City of Hannibal Is Moving Its Marina

The City of Hannibal, Missouri, has launched a $6.6 million redevelopment project for a section of its shoreline along the Mississippi River. The project will include moving the city-owned marina and building new roads, sidewalk, fencing and bathrooms in the area.

The original marina, built in the 1960s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, had wooden docks. They were replaced several years ago by steel and concrete floating docks that provided 70 slips.

“Those docks are still in great shape, so we are actually moving them from where the current marina sits further south. The marina will back up against Bear Creek where it comes into the Mississippi,” said Aron Lee, assistant director, Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department. “We are going to reduce the size of the marina a bit; there is an opportunity there for up to 50 slips.” While the slips will be available for seasonal lease, most will probably be used by transients, judging by past demand.

The marina will still have a fuel dock. While it won’t have electricity at the docks immediately, the electric will be stubbed in for possible connection at some future time.

Because the steel sheet piling is failing in some places along the waterfront, the city plans to riprap the entire river shoreline, including the marina area.

Currently, the riverfront area has only one docking space for the large excursion boats that cruise the river; the redevelopment will add another. These areas will be available for rental by transient boaters outside of the riverboats’ usual operating season, mid-July through mid-October.

Bleigh Construction of Hannibal will be doing the redevelopment work, which will last about one year. The marina will probably not reopen until the 2020 boating season, according to Lee.