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.
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🛥️🏙️ March Progress Update
Navy Pier Marina is getting closer to completion by the day! Check out our progress on the margin dock, wave fence, and boater amenities building. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront
🛥️🏙️ March Progress Update
Navy Pier Marina is getting closer to completion by the day! Check out our progress on the margin dock, wave fence, and boater amenities building. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront
Warmer weather and boating are just around the corner. 🛥 Plan to set anchor ⚓️ at Navy Pier Marina this summer.
Decking for Pier #1 beginning to be installed. #navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #chicago #navypier #marinalife #Opening2025 #underconstruction
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
Warmer weather and boating are just around the corner. 🛥 Plan to set anchor ⚓️ at Navy Pier Marina this summer.
Decking for Pier #1 beginning to be installed. #navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #chicago #navypier #marinalife #Opening2025 #underconstruction
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
Transient reservation are NOW OPEN for the summer 2025 Boating Season. Book your next adventure at the NEW Navy Pier Marina Today!
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
#navypiermarina #chicago #marinalife #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #dockwa
Transient reservation are NOW OPEN for the summer 2025 Boating Season. Book your next adventure at the NEW Navy Pier Marina Today!
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
#navypiermarina #chicago #marinalife #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #dockwa
Stay tuned tomorrow morning for our exciting announcement!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #marinalife #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #chicago #Opening2025 #lakemichiganlife #navypier #excitingnews
Stay tuned tomorrow morning for our exciting announcement!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #marinalife #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #chicago #Opening2025 #lakemichiganlife #navypier #excitingnews
While Chicagoland has seen frigid temperatures the last few week, we are thinking of the warm days ahead. Construction crews are continuing to make progress to allow Navy Pier Marina to open this spring for the 2025 boating season. See you at the Pier! #marinalife #navypier #underconstruction #chicago #navypiermarina #lakemichigan #navypierchicago #lakemichiganlife #Opening2025 #chicagolakefront
While Chicagoland has seen frigid temperatures the last few week, we are thinking of the warm days ahead. Construction crews are continuing to make progress to allow Navy Pier Marina to open this spring for the 2025 boating season. See you at the Pier! #marinalife #navypier #underconstruction #chicago #navypiermarina #lakemichigan #navypierchicago #lakemichiganlife #Opening2025 #chicagolakefront
Greetings Boating Enthusiasts,
Navy Pier Marina is pleased to host the Chicago International Boat Show at Navy Pier Marina, an in-water boat show, coming August 2025.
"By blending the worlds of boating, luxury, and high-end living, we`re not just creating a boat show—we`re creating an immersive lifestyle experience.”
-Hany Ghabour, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Revel Republic
“Navy Pier Marina offers more than a boat show with direct access to Navy Pier`s countless restaurants, attractions and amenities. This will be an event
for the entire family.”
- Randy Podolsky, Developer of Navy Pier Marina & avid boater
Moor up to the full announcement here.
https://navypiermarina.com/news/revel-republic-expands-in-water-boat-show-series-with-new-chicago-event/
Best,
Randy
Founder & Avid Boater
Navy Pier Marina
Greetings Boating Enthusiasts,
Navy Pier Marina is pleased to host the Chicago International Boat Show at Navy Pier Marina, an in-water boat show, coming August 2025.
"By blending the worlds of boating, luxury, and high-end living, we`re not just creating a boat show—we`re creating an immersive lifestyle experience.”
-Hany Ghabour, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Revel Republic
“Navy Pier Marina offers more than a boat show with direct access to Navy Pier`s countless restaurants, attractions and amenities. This will be an event
for the entire family.”
- Randy Podolsky, Developer of Navy Pier Marina & avid boater
Moor up to the full announcement here.
https://navypiermarina.com/news/revel-republic-expands-in-water-boat-show-series-with-new-chicago-event/
Best,
Randy
Founder & Avid Boater
Navy Pier Marina
Progress Update on Dock #1, the very first dock at the entrance to Navy Pier Marina.
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicago #lakemichigan #underconstruction #lakemichiganlife #Opening2025 #marinalife #chicagolakefront
Progress Update on Dock #1, the very first dock at the entrance to Navy Pier Marina.
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicago #lakemichigan #underconstruction #lakemichiganlife #Opening2025 #marinalife #chicagolakefront
Checking Out Construction Progress!
Meet the Team - Left - Mark Stevens, General Manager Navy Pier Marina - Right - Randy Podolsky, Founder & Developer Navy Pier Marina.
Come visit us on the docks in 2025!
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #chicago #chicagolakefront #marinalife #underconstruction #Opening2025
Checking Out Construction Progress!
Meet the Team - Left - Mark Stevens, General Manager Navy Pier Marina - Right - Randy Podolsky, Founder & Developer Navy Pier Marina.
Come visit us on the docks in 2025!
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #chicago #chicagolakefront #marinalife #underconstruction #Opening2025
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.
