IOP Marina Public Dock and Greenspace

City Council votes to create a public dock and greenspace at the IOP Marina
Completed: Sep 22, 2020
Sep 22 2020
City staff presents conceptual plan for the IOP Waterfront Park to the Real Property Committee
Completed: Nov 4, 2020
Nov 4 2020
City seeks input and feedback from the community about the conceptual plan.
Completed: Nov 12, 2020
Nov 12 2020
City staff met with Kelly Messier to discuss and evaluate the feedback received about the proposed public dock and greenspace. Adjustments to the proposed plan will be developed for Council consideration.
Completed: Jan 5, 2021
Jan 5 2021
City Staff presents updated conceptual plan to Real Property Commitee
Completed: Feb 1, 2021
Feb 1 2021
City engages Davis & Floyd to develop specifications for construction of public greenspace
Completed: Feb 9, 2022
Feb 9 2022
Davis & Floyd conducts structural assessment of the bulkhead along the public dock
Completed: Apr 19, 2022
Apr 19 2022
City Council approved a contract to Bluetide Marina Construction for the construction of needed bulkhead repairs and the installation of a six-foot wide Ipe deck boardwalk and treated pine handrail along the Intracoastal side of the Marina.
Oct 25 2022

On September 22, 2020, City Council voted to create a public dock and greenspace in the space formerly leased to the commercial watersports operation. 

Kelly Messier, an island resident and landscape architect, offered her services pro bono to develop a first draft of a conceptual plan for the Isle of Palms Waterfront Park. The plan covers the 300 linear feet by 25 foot wide area along the bulkhead of the marina area facing the Intracoastal Waterway. The implementation of this vision will require collaboration and participation from the marina manager and restaurant tenants. 

Below is a written description of the first draft of the conceptual drawing: 

A 6 foot wide tabby concrete walkway is proposed behind the existing two foot wide wood border of the bulkhead.  Wood bollards with a rope railing, as used in other areas of the marina, are proposed to be added on top of the wood border. 

A series of benches are proposed along the waterfront walkway to allow residents to enjoy the views of the water and the sunsets and boating activities.  Some half circle benches would allow groups of people to sit together and converse.  Smaller benches, which could be swing benches, are placed to accommodate single persons or couples. 

A circular seat wall near the public dock creates an entrance to the dock area.  A flagpole could be located in the center of the circle surrounded by a simple lawn area.  There are lawn areas on either side of the center area that would also allow sitting or stretching out on the grass.

An entry walk to the waterfront park is created in the median area through the parking lot that would allow residents and visitors to come directly to the park.  There are bicycle parking areas near the entrance.  A kayak storage area could be located at the end of the park near the dock to facilitate access to the kayak launch area.

Golf cart parking spaces are located behind the park area to provide resident parking and access to the waterfront park.  Lush planting with palm trees is proposed in the landscaped areas to buffer the waterfront park from the parking.  The planting could include large swatches of Sweetgrass alone or Sweetgrass mixed with some pops of color from seasonal flowering plants.  Bollards may be necessary at the walk entrances to prevent golf carts from entering the pedestrian areas.

City Council is seeking feedback from community members on the conceptual plan for the Isle of Palms Marina Waterfront Park. Residents may send their comments using the form below:

Project Updates

Update - September 2023
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Public Dock & Greenspace 

Design work 95% complete. Permits from OCRM and USACE are expected by the end of September. Bidding will quickly follow once permits are in hand.

 

T Dock Repairs 

Repairs/Maintenance to the T dock to be included as an alternate bid with the public dock bidding process.

 

Dredging

City held stakeholder meeting on 8/23 to begin coordination with marina neighbors to join permitting and dredging efforts. ATM studying the dredge disposal alternatives.

 

 

Update - August 2023
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Public Dock & Greenspace

• City needs to engage ATM for bidding and construction administration services.
• City and Islander 71 need to agree and finalize parking redesign plan for the north side of the boat ramp with the goal of eliminating
the shared lot and creating separate parking areas for the City/residents and restaurant patrons and finalize scope and design of the
greenspace along the landside of the boardwalk.


T Dock Repairs

Repairs/Maintenance to the T dock planned to be included as an alternate bid along with the public dock bidding process.


Dredging

Staff held kick-off meeting on July 18. First task involves local engagement and coordination with neighboring facilities on Morgan
Creek to identify their dredging needs and invite them to join City’s permitting efforts for potential cost and regulatory efficiencies.
Meeting with local stakeholders scheduled for mid-August.

Update - July 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Public Dock & Greenspace

• ATM finalizing dock design specifications for bidding. ATM seeking feedback from Council at the 7/11 workshop meeting.
• City and Islander 71 need to agree and finalize parking redesign plan for the north side of the boat ramp with the goal of eliminating the shared lot and creating separate parking areas for the City/residents and restaurant patrons and finalize scope and design of the greenspace along the landside of the boardwalk.


T Dock Repairs

Repairs to the T dock planned to be included as an alternate bid along with the public dock bidding process.


Dredging

Contract with ATM executed. Kickoff meeting scheduled for week of July 17.

Update - June 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Public Dock & Marina Bulkhead Boardwalk

• Boardwalk project complete.
• Public dock application off public notice with OCRM and USACE.
• No comments received. City expects regulatory approval of the 16-ft wide dock. ATM completing final design to have plans
ready for bid concurrently with receiving final permits.

Dredging

• Request for Proposals (RFP) for engineering, design and permitting for marina dredging project released on 5/4. Deadline for
submission of proposals is May 26, 2023.

• Public Services & Facilities Committee made recommendation to approve proposal from ATM. Final approval to be considered
by Council on June 27, 2023.

Breach Inlet Boat Ramp

• City partnered with Coastal Dredging (currently doing dock & dredging work for the Boathouse Marina) to perform some
maintenance at the City’s boat ramp. Approx. 150 cy of material were removed – at low tide there is now 5’ of water from the
end of the boat ramp extending towards deeper water.

• Gate has been refurbished and fixed.

• Staff requested ATM to evaluate slope of existing boat ramp and present recommendations to improve easy of use.

Update - May 2023
Tuesday, May 9, 2023

• Boardwalk project complete.

• Public dock application off public notice with OCRM and USACE.

• ATM coordinating w regulatory agencies to respond to any comments received.

Dredging

• Request for Proposals (RFP) for engineering, design and permitting for marina dredging project released on 5/4.
Deadline for submission of proposals is May 26, 2023.

Breach Inlet Boat Ramp

• City partnered with Coastal Dredging (currently doing dock & dredging work for the Boathouse Marina) to perform
some maintenance at the City’s boat ramp. Approx. 150 cy of material were removed – at low tide there is now 5’ of
water from the end of the boat ramp extending towards deeper water.

• Gate has been refurbished and fixed.

• Staff requested ATM to evaluate slope of existing boat ramp and present recommendations to improve easy of use.

Update - April 2023
Tuesday, April 11, 2023

OCRM permit application for the public dock
replacement project submitted in December
2022.

• Permit application put on public notice for USACE
and SCDHEC OCRM • USACE noticed

– March 9, 2023 (Goes off notice
April 9, 2023)

• DHEC noticed

– March 27, 2023 (Goes off notice
April 27, 2023)

• Preliminary design work complete
– most of the design (framing member sizing/spacing, pile
sizing/spacing) is contingent on OCRM approving
the proposed width of the pier at 16’

• Construction on the bulkhead repairs and
installation of 6’ boardwalk along the Intracoastal
side is complete. • Final piece is the lighting along the railing to be
complete by mid April

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