A long-planned renovation of the Dunedin Marina is running behind schedule, with city officials blaming slow federal permitting as the primary obstacle.

The Army Corps of Engineers has not responded to the city’s permit applications since October, and a consultant told commissioners the agency is currently taking nine months for simplified permits and up to 18 months for more complex ones. Under the current schedule, work on docks A and B would not be completed until 2028-2029, with Dock C following in 2030.

City commissioners made clear those timelines are not acceptable. Director of Utilities and Engineering Clay Watkins told Vice Mayor Rob Walker that the delay is driven entirely by Army Corps permitting, and that the city has seen no movement on its applications in nearly five months. Mayor Maureen Freaney said she wants dock construction to begin in 2027 as originally planned.

The original master plan had to be revised after two hurricanes severely damaged the facility. Working with engineering firm Kimley-Horn, the city shifted the design from fixed docks to floating docks.

The updated plan also includes changes to slip sizes. The number of 25-foot slips would drop significantly, while 30-foot slips would increase. Harbormaster Laurie Ferguson explained that 25-foot slips are frequently empty with no waitlist, while 30-foot slips have a long waitlist the city cannot fill.

On the landside, the revised plan calls for a shifted boat ramp to improve launching access, an expanded harbormaster plaza, an extended day dock and fishing pier, and a continuous Marina Walk with shade trees. The fishing pier replacement is about to begin construction.

Funding for dock replacements is expected to come from the Marina Enterprise Fund, with some FEMA reimbursement. A final master plan will go before the City Commission for approval after additional workshops and meetings with the Marina Advisory Committee.

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