Navy Pier Marina: How Chicago Politics Delayed Construction for 8 Years, 3 Mayors
November 14, 2024
As first published by Ben Bradley for WGN TV
Construction finally began this week on a long-stalled marina adjacent to Navy Pier, and the developer said he hopes boaters will be able to tie up beginning late next spring.
Eight years ago, Randy Podolsky thought it would be smooth sailing for his plan for a 150-boat transient marina next to Navy Pier. Then Chicago politics got in the way.
“You know, that vision of bringing the lakefront to Chicago boaters and to boaters around Lake Michigan and beyond, that was always the dream. That was always the vision,” Podolsky recently told WGN. “This is what it means today to have stuck it out.”
Local and state regulators, including then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Army Corps of Engineers, signed off on the project years ago. But before the first pylon could be drilled, Lori Lightfoot took office as mayor. Her administration tried to kill the plan, claiming it would be a security risk to the Jardine Water Purification Plant.
The plant is directly across from the marina.
“The only reason this is not moving forward is Mayor Lightfoot,” Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) told WGN in 2022. “The irony here is that if we were to install this marina it would make the north pier even more safe than it is today. There’s nothing to stop you from driving a boat through there right now.”
The marina developer sued, claiming Lightfoot’s administration “exceeded their authority” in denying to issue his building permit. Mayor Brandon Johnson lifted the brick on the project and withdrew the city’s opposition after he took office in 2023.
Work is now underway on the privately-funded effort and will continue through the winter with the goal of not missing another boating season.
“Nothing should be this hard. The community wants this. Navy Pier wants this. The politicians who were difficult to work with along the way all say they wanted it. It’s the reality of life, It should never have been this hard,” Podolsky said.
SHARE THIS STORY
RECENT NEWS
LATEST POSTS
I am very excited to share that we have entered into an agreement with the City of Chicago, allowing the long-awaited Navy Pier Marina to be built. We will work hard to construct the transient marina in the coming year, and we anticipate opening by early summer 2025.
We will welcome boaters from Chicago, the Great Lakes, Great Loopers, and boating groups and clubs looking for modern mooring facilities in the heart of Chicago!
Please help us spread the news within the boating community. A description of the marina and its amenities, as well as updates about ongoing construction, the opening date, and how to make reservations, will be posted on our website: www.navypiermarina.com.
We thank Mayor Johnson’s administration for its cooperation and foresight in seeing the many benefits that Navy Pier Marina will bring to Navy Pier, the City of Chicago, and its citizens. We also thank Navy Pier Inc. for its continued collaboration and support for the project.
We will keep you updated as things develop.
Randy
I am very excited to share that we have entered into an agreement with the City of Chicago, allowing the long-awaited Navy Pier Marina to be built. We will work hard to construct the transient marina in the coming year, and we anticipate opening by early summer 2025.
We will welcome boaters from Chicago, the Great Lakes, Great Loopers, and boating groups and clubs looking for modern mooring facilities in the heart of Chicago!
Please help us spread the news within the boating community. A description of the marina and its amenities, as well as updates about ongoing construction, the opening date, and how to make reservations, will be posted on our website: www.navypiermarina.com.
We thank Mayor Johnson’s administration for its cooperation and foresight in seeing the many benefits that Navy Pier Marina will bring to Navy Pier, the City of Chicago, and its citizens. We also thank Navy Pier Inc. for its continued collaboration and support for the project.
We will keep you updated as things develop.
Randy
🚨 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! 🚨 @wgnnews Chicago aired an investigative report on why Navy Pier Marina has not yet been built. Watch the full story at the link in our bio, and listen to what reporter, @benbradleytv, shared with viewers alike. #NavyPier #NavyPierMarina
DO YOUR PART TO SUPPORT: No need to send money, please just sign our petition. #linkinbio 👈🏽
#navypierchicago #chicagoboatingcommunity #chicagoboaters #lakemichigan #illinoisboating #transientmarinachicago #chicagomarinas
🚨 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! 🚨 @wgnnews Chicago aired an investigative report on why Navy Pier Marina has not yet been built. Watch the full story at the link in our bio, and listen to what reporter, @benbradleytv, shared with viewers alike. #NavyPier #NavyPierMarina
DO YOUR PART TO SUPPORT: No need to send money, please just sign our petition. #linkinbio 👈🏽
#navypierchicago #chicagoboatingcommunity #chicagoboaters #lakemichigan #illinoisboating #transientmarinachicago #chicagomarinas
🗣 BREAKING NEWS!!
@wgntv Chicago will be airing an investigative report on why #NavyPierMarina has not yet been built.
TUNE IN ➡️ tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27th on the 9pm CST news with @benbradleytv.
SHOW SUPPORT by signing our change.org petition at #linkinbio. — No need to donate money, please just sign up and spread the word!
📧 UPDATES: Sign up for our e-newsletter at navypiermarina.com.
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagoboatingcommunity #chicagoboaters #lakemichigan #illinoisboating #transientmarinachicago #chicagomarinas
🗣 BREAKING NEWS!!
@wgntv Chicago will be airing an investigative report on why #NavyPierMarina has not yet been built.
TUNE IN ➡️ tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27th on the 9pm CST news with @benbradleytv.
SHOW SUPPORT by signing our change.org petition at #linkinbio. — No need to donate money, please just sign up and spread the word!
📧 UPDATES: Sign up for our e-newsletter at navypiermarina.com.
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagoboatingcommunity #chicagoboaters #lakemichigan #illinoisboating #transientmarinachicago #chicagomarinas
As most of you may know, we have been trying to get Navy Pier Marina built in Chicago. The project started in 2015 and received full City Council approval in 2016. From there, all permits were issued by the US Army Corp and IDNR (plus many other agencies). Then the water purification plant nearby decided they were not in favor of the marina at Navy Pier, and wrongly encouraged CDOT to throw a wrench in the works by not issuing our last ministerial construction permit. It has been a struggle since then, but I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!
In our effort to continue pressing forward with mass support, I created a Change.org petition to raise awareness. #linkinbio
📝 I would be grateful if you could sign up and help me by spreading the word through social and email to anyone you think would be interested.
All #LakeMichiganBoaters should be interested in seeing this recreational transient boat marina come to fruition! 📣
Now...WHO`S WITH ME?!?
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagoboatingcommunity #chicagoboaters #lakemichigan #illinoisboating #transientmarinachicago #chicagomarinas
As most of you may know, we have been trying to get Navy Pier Marina built in Chicago. The project started in 2015 and received full City Council approval in 2016. From there, all permits were issued by the US Army Corp and IDNR (plus many other agencies). Then the water purification plant nearby decided they were not in favor of the marina at Navy Pier, and wrongly encouraged CDOT to throw a wrench in the works by not issuing our last ministerial construction permit. It has been a struggle since then, but I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!
In our effort to continue pressing forward with mass support, I created a Change.org petition to raise awareness. #linkinbio
📝 I would be grateful if you could sign up and help me by spreading the word through social and email to anyone you think would be interested.
All #LakeMichiganBoaters should be interested in seeing this recreational transient boat marina come to fruition! 📣
Now...WHO`S WITH ME?!?
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagoboatingcommunity #chicagoboaters #lakemichigan #illinoisboating #transientmarinachicago #chicagomarinas
We need your help ➡ If a short-term, transient dock at Navy Pier sounds like something you`d take advantage of as an additional way to explore Chicago, can you tell that to the city?
@wttwchicago recently shared updates in their article titled, "A Giant Marina to Attract Boaters Was Approved at Navy Pier. Why Hasn’t It Been Built?" WE COULDN`T AGREE MORE!!
Read all about it here ➡️ navypiermarina.com/inthenews
If they grant us a permit, we`d bring this to life for you. Consider sharing your thoughts with the following individuals ⤵
Samir Mayekar
Deputy Mayor, Development
📧 Samir.Mayekar@cityofchicago.org
Gia Biagi
Commissioner, CDOT
📧 Gia.Biagi@cityofchicago.org
If sending them an email is outside of your comfort zone (we understand), perhaps you`d consider sharing this post with your friends instead. Your support is greatly appreciated.
We need your help ➡ If a short-term, transient dock at Navy Pier sounds like something you`d take advantage of as an additional way to explore Chicago, can you tell that to the city?
@wttwchicago recently shared updates in their article titled, "A Giant Marina to Attract Boaters Was Approved at Navy Pier. Why Hasn’t It Been Built?" WE COULDN`T AGREE MORE!!
Read all about it here ➡️ navypiermarina.com/inthenews
If they grant us a permit, we`d bring this to life for you. Consider sharing your thoughts with the following individuals ⤵
Samir Mayekar
Deputy Mayor, Development
📧 Samir.Mayekar@cityofchicago.org
Gia Biagi
Commissioner, CDOT
📧 Gia.Biagi@cityofchicago.org
If sending them an email is outside of your comfort zone (we understand), perhaps you`d consider sharing this post with your friends instead. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The ferris wheel on Navy Pier is a nod to the history of the pier itself, as well as an icon that represents Chicago and the lake on which it sits. #NavyPierMarina will give boaters a short-term, transient docking option with quick and convenient access to this and other Chicago landmarks. WHICH IS WHY..... 👇
We just need the city to grant us the permit to build it. 📣
Tune in to this recent radio spot on @wlsam890 which respectfully covers the topic, "What is the Hold Up With the Navy Pier Marina?" 😉 #linkinbio
Read + listen to more on our full website // navypiermarina.com/inthenews
#navypiermarina #marinastatus #chicagoboating #buildthemarina #cityofchicago #chicagomarina #npm #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagoairandwatershow
The ferris wheel on Navy Pier is a nod to the history of the pier itself, as well as an icon that represents Chicago and the lake on which it sits. #NavyPierMarina will give boaters a short-term, transient docking option with quick and convenient access to this and other Chicago landmarks. WHICH IS WHY..... 👇
We just need the city to grant us the permit to build it. 📣
Tune in to this recent radio spot on @wlsam890 which respectfully covers the topic, "What is the Hold Up With the Navy Pier Marina?" 😉 #linkinbio
Read + listen to more on our full website // navypiermarina.com/inthenews
#navypiermarina #marinastatus #chicagoboating #buildthemarina #cityofchicago #chicagomarina #npm #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagoairandwatershow
In short, we are still waiting for a construction permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Navy Pier Marina has received permits and approvals from all other governmental agencies including the US Corp of Engineers (USACE), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDNR), the Illinois EPA, as well as unanimous City Council approval of the project back in September 2016.
Read more, and discover how you can support our efforts to receive the permit, on our website:
💻 navypiermarina.com/inthenews
In short, we are still waiting for a construction permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Navy Pier Marina has received permits and approvals from all other governmental agencies including the US Corp of Engineers (USACE), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDNR), the Illinois EPA, as well as unanimous City Council approval of the project back in September 2016.
Read more, and discover how you can support our efforts to receive the permit, on our website:
💻 navypiermarina.com/inthenews
The concept of a marina at Navy Pier was born decades ago by avid boaters. 🛥 Perfected in 2016 as the preeminent transient marina on the Great Lakes, #NavyPierMarina was envisioned by the project developer, Randy D. Podolsky, a Chicago born and raised entrepreneur, out of the need for a Lake Michigan boating destination.
Navy Pier Marina would offer boaters short-term, transient docking as well as quick and convenient access to dining, lodging and entertainment at Navy Pier and within the City of Chicago.
Construction is scheduled to commence shortly after Chicago`s DOT issues the final construction permit, which we have been awaiting for several years.
Read more on our website, and show your support in the comments below ⤵
The concept of a marina at Navy Pier was born decades ago by avid boaters. 🛥 Perfected in 2016 as the preeminent transient marina on the Great Lakes, #NavyPierMarina was envisioned by the project developer, Randy D. Podolsky, a Chicago born and raised entrepreneur, out of the need for a Lake Michigan boating destination.
Navy Pier Marina would offer boaters short-term, transient docking as well as quick and convenient access to dining, lodging and entertainment at Navy Pier and within the City of Chicago.
Construction is scheduled to commence shortly after Chicago`s DOT issues the final construction permit, which we have been awaiting for several years.
Read more on our website, and show your support in the comments below ⤵
Navy Pier Marina: How Chicago Politics Delayed Construction for 8 Years, 3 Mayors
November 14, 2024
As first published by Ben Bradley for WGN TV
Construction finally began this week on a long-stalled marina adjacent to Navy Pier, and the developer said he hopes boaters will be able to tie up beginning late next spring.
Eight years ago, Randy Podolsky thought it would be smooth sailing for his plan for a 150-boat transient marina next to Navy Pier. Then Chicago politics got in the way.
“You know, that vision of bringing the lakefront to Chicago boaters and to boaters around Lake Michigan and beyond, that was always the dream. That was always the vision,” Podolsky recently told WGN. “This is what it means today to have stuck it out.”
Local and state regulators, including then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Army Corps of Engineers, signed off on the project years ago. But before the first pylon could be drilled, Lori Lightfoot took office as mayor. Her administration tried to kill the plan, claiming it would be a security risk to the Jardine Water Purification Plant.
The plant is directly across from the marina.
“The only reason this is not moving forward is Mayor Lightfoot,” Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) told WGN in 2022. “The irony here is that if we were to install this marina it would make the north pier even more safe than it is today. There’s nothing to stop you from driving a boat through there right now.”
The marina developer sued, claiming Lightfoot’s administration “exceeded their authority” in denying to issue his building permit. Mayor Brandon Johnson lifted the brick on the project and withdrew the city’s opposition after he took office in 2023.
Work is now underway on the privately-funded effort and will continue through the winter with the goal of not missing another boating season.
“Nothing should be this hard. The community wants this. Navy Pier wants this. The politicians who were difficult to work with along the way all say they wanted it. It’s the reality of life, It should never have been this hard,” Podolsky said.
