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 2022
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
  • If City gains control of the entire shared parking area, City needs to ask D&F to modify the concept to cover expanded area towards the “T” dock.
  • Staff has met with two bulkhead contractors that have indicated they believe the bulkhead will have a useful life of +20 years with repairs.
  • Staff is developing an RFB for repairs of the bulkhead and modifications to widen the walkway and add a guardrail.
  • City installed temporary ADA parking surface to create two handicap accessible spaces adjacent to the public dock and has received material to install additional surfacing.
  • City met with ATM to finalize permit documents for submittal to OCRM and USACE for public dock replacement.
  • Marina tenants have requested that the City pause on repairs to the T dock to discuss alternatives.
Update - August 2022
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
  • D&F revised design of the public greenspace. If City gains control of the entire shared parking area, City needs to decide whether to extend the public greenspace to the entrance of the “T” dock.
  • D&F conducted an evaluation of the condition of the bulkhead. Staff is analyzing proposal for modification/repairs to the bulkhead and potential permitting and schedule impacts.
  • City installed temporary ADA parking surface to create two handicap accessible spaces adjacent to the public dock.
  • City executed revised proposal from ATM for design, engineering of public dock rehabilitation and “T” dock enhancements.
Update - July 2022
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
  • D&F revised design of the public greenspace. If City gains control of the entire shared parking area, City needs to decide whether to extend the public greenspace to the entrance of the “T” dock.
  • D&F conducted an evaluation of the condition of the bulkhead. Staff is analyzing proposal for modification/repairs to the bulkhead and potential permitting and schedule impacts.
  • City is in receipt of temporary ADA parking surface to create two handicap accessible spaces adjacent to the public dock.
  • City executed revised proposal from ATM for design, engineering of public dock rehabilitation and “T” dock enhancements. 

City Council Approves Complete Rehabilitation of Public Dock
Tuesday, June 21, 2022

As part of the discussions regarding the FY23 Budget process, City Council approved pursuing Concept B for the complete rehabilitation of the public dock at the IOP Marina. The new design will include a 16' wide pier with covered areas for swings and benches, a new ADA compliant gangway and a new floating dock with a new kayak launch area. The approved design will require permitting from OCRM. Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2023. The estimated cost of this project is $1.7M. 

Updated Conceptual Plan
Monday, February 1, 2021

Staff presented an updated conceptual plan to the real property committee on February 1, 2021. The updates to the plan include additional golf cart parking and picnic tables under sail shades. Work remains to be done to determine how best to tie the walking path into the restaurant lot.

Presentation of Conceptual Plan
Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Staff presented the conceptual plan of the IOP Marina Waterfront Park developed by island resident and landscape architect, Kelly Messier to the Real Property Committee.