Large-Scale Renovation Planned for Palm Beach Town Docks

Concerned that its city docks were beginning to show their age, the Town of Palm Beach has approved a $32 million upgrade to the facility.
The docks were constructed in the 1940s, and have been expanded and updated, but there have been no major renovations for 20 years. The existing fixed concrete docks with aluminum decking include three piers (Brazilian, Australian and Peruvian).

The town council considered three plans. The one it chose includes more than 10,000 feet of dock; the length of the Peruvian dock will be maximized to provide greater wave protection to the rest of the marina. The marina area also will be dredged to provide safer navigation and mooring.

The new concrete floating docks will have 83 slips, with 38 slips below 85-feet in length. There will be more space for side ties as well. Six slips will be capable of mooring 200-foot vessels. All slips will feature upgraded electrical service and self-serve, in-slip pumpouts.

Dockmaster Mike Horn said the town hopes to start the actual building process in 2020, but that will depend on how long it takes to get the necessary approvals. “We are at the beginning stages of this. Right now we have the master plan, and we have just had meetings for the requests for qualifications for the professional engineering services and the marina and coastal environmental consultant services,” he explained.

Much of the construction will have to take place between May 1 and November 30, since the Town of Palm Beach does not allow pile driving during its busy season.