On August 22 at the Marina at Dana Point (Calif.), dock builder Bellingham Marine pulled the first pile from the existing C Dock in the West Cove, signaling the long-awaited start of construction on the new marina in Dana Point Harbor. Over the next five years, the marina will be rebuilt in fifteen phases plus an additional two phases in the outer basin.
The aspiration to revitalize Dana Point Harbor has been in the works for over two decades. However, it has been through Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett’s vision and commitment to a private public partnership that has made the revitalization a reality over her eight-year term.
“Our beloved harbor has served our community well for over 50 years. As we embark on the harbor revitalization, I am excited for all the improvements that are coming that will enhance the experience for all the citizens of greater Orange County as well as for visitors to our harbor from near and far,” stated Supervisor Bartlett.
“As a partnership, we have been committed to having Dana Point Harbor set a new standard for marinas on the West Coast”, said Bryon Ward, president of Burnham Ward Properties and partner in DPHP.
“We immediately embraced Bellingham Marine’s concept of a non-ferrous dock system not only to enhance longevity, but to also reduce the number of pilings in the harbor. This method aligns with the partnerships’ goal to create a more environmentally conscious Harbor, as it also eliminates the need for treated lumber.”
“The new dock system will be enhanced in almost every aspect,” said Joe Ueberroth, the founder of Bellwether Financial Group (a partner in DPHP) and the owner of Bellingham Marine. “The new design addresses both ADA accessibility and public access, the guest services will set a new standard for the West Coast, and the electrical and pump-out systems will meet the needs of boaters for generations to come.”
Bellingham Marine conducted a pre-construction meeting with county and city officials and staff describing phasing plans, building BMPs and construction logistics.
“The Bellingham Team will be a fixture in the harbor for the next five years,” said Eric Noegel, general manager of Bellingham’s Southwest division, “and working for a client that is truly dedicated to the development of a marina that protects the environment while having the longevity to serve the community through its entire leasehold has been inspirational to our R&D, manufacturing, and installation teams.”
DPHP has spent millions of dollars and countless hours behind the scenes over the last four years to get to this point where construction is visible in the harbor. “It is difficult for most people to imagine the heavy lifting that takes place during the years prior to commencing construction. We now enter a fun period where the installation teams go to work and the community can witness the transformation of the marina in its 15 phases while we continue to operate as the largest marina on the West Coast,” stated Ueberroth.
Bellingham Marine is global, turn-key design-build marina construction company. The company specializes in design, floating docks, platforms, and wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide.
Visit www.bellingham-marine.com for more information.
Republished from Marine Construction Magazine Issue V, 2022
