New piers, extra slips part of marina project at Presque Isle. When will it be finished?

An improvement project at the marina at Presque Isle State Park is nearing completion.

Park Operations Manager Matt Greene said general landscaping and electrical work still need to be done. He didn't provide a timeline but said via email that officials are working on a date for getting boats into the water at the marina.

A sailboat called Yemayá is lowered into the water at Presque Isle Marina, in the rain on May 6, 2022. Yemayá is named after an African and Brazilian goddess of the seas. The 30-foot sailboat, according to her owner, Dave Dunn, originally sailed in Lake Ontario. An improvement project started last fall at the marina is nearing completion.
A sailboat called Yemayá is lowered into the water at Presque Isle Marina, in the rain on May 6, 2022. Yemayá is named after an African and Brazilian goddess of the seas. The 30-foot sailboat, according to her owner, Dave Dunn, originally sailed in Lake Ontario. An improvement project started last fall at the marina is nearing completion.

All boats there were out by Sept. 26 for work to start. The official end date was to be the first week in June but Greene had previously said that would depend on how weather affected the work.

What was done

Greene said five new piers were installed and extensions added extra slips to three piers at the marina, located on the bay side of the park. Fingers were added to all piers that didn't already have them. The area under the piers was dredged and the entire electric system is being upgraded.

"All work was related to improving the docks," Greene said in the email. " We will be able to accommodate more boats in the 25-foot to 46-foot range than before."

Work underway: The North Pier at Presque Isle State Park is getting a $3.9 million makeover

When will boats go in

Greene said officials are working on a date to get boats into the marina. He had said last autumn that there could be a delay of a couple weeks to get boats in the water this year.

"Typical years, we start lifting boats in late April," Greene said via the email.

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Why improvements were delayed

The improvements were originally expected to take place in 2022 but the project had to be rebid because the original submissions came in too high. A contract was eventually awarded to Perry Construction and work began in the fall on the $8.5 million project.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Presque Isle State Park PA marina project near completion