Navy Pier Marina Permits Issued Construction Set to Begin this Year

Transient marina project receives all permits to commence construction for a 2025 launch

CHICAGO – April 30, 2024 – NPM Venture LLC, operating as Navy Pier Marina (NPM), is pleased to announce the receipt of all permits necessary to allow the construction of the trendsetting Navy Pier Marina to begin this year, in anticipation of operating by summer of 2025.

The final design and construction plans have been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois EPA, the State Historic Preservation Office, and Chicago’s Department of Transportation, calming the waters for construction of the dedicated transient boat marina this year. The marina is expected to open in the 2025 boating season. When launched, the marina will offer transient mooring to boaters from Chicago, around Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes, as well as those navigating the Great Loop and boating groups planning rendezvous seeking unique and modern mooring facilities in the heart of Chicago.

NPM intends to offer limited space for fishing, sailing, and diving charters, as well as potential seasonal mooring for boat clubs and other recreational boating commercial uses. Lunch and dinner hourly tie-ups, as well as overnight stays, will be offered by a user-friendly online reservation system. Boaters can plan to moor up with friends and family to eat, catch a ride on the Centennial Wheel, experience Flyover Chicago, the Chicago Children’s Museum, or enjoy the myriad other attractions located on Navy Pier.

“We are very excited to bring this first-ever marina to Navy Pier,” said Randy D. Podolsky, developer of Navy Pier Marina. “The marina brings water access to the iconic Navy Pier and the city’s core to boaters from a lake approach. Until now, Navy Pier has been inaccessible to waterborne tourists desiring access to everything the Pier has to offer. We are eagerly anticipating our marina launching a new era of maritime enjoyment for local and visiting yachtspersons alike!” he added.

In its unique location, the privately funded and entrepreneurially operated Navy Pier Marina will offer approximately 6,400 linear feet of broadside (side-tie) mooring for vessels up to 180’ in length with a mix of fixed and floating piers. Amenities will include concierge-quality service, power and water hookups, Wi-Fi, pump-out service, and a boater’s amenity facility equipped with restrooms, showers, a lounge, and a ship’s store. The Marina will also host a bicycle repair station and a pet-friendly environment, including a pet relief station.

“The addition of a full-service marina means a whole new way to experience all Navy Pier has to offer,” said Marilynn Gardner, President and CEO of Navy Pier. “We can’t wait to open our doors to boaters from all over Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes and provide them with the unique opportunity to discover the wonderful restaurants, shops, attractions, and programs that make this lakefront treasure so special.”

Read the full press release here. Follow Navy Pier Marina on Instagram and Facebook.

Navy Pier Marina was designed and engineered by the renowned Edgewater Resources located in St. Joseph, MI.

ABOUT NPM VENTURE

NPM Venture LLC was formed by Chicago native Randy D. Podolsky. Randy has envisioned a recreational marina at Navy Pier, which would allow previously never-allowed incredible waterborne access to the People’s Pier, since he started his boating adventures in 1983. Randy is an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1991 and served as the elected District Commodore of the Ninth District Western Region in 2009 & 2010, overseeing the operations of over 1,100 uniformed volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary members. To provide financial and physical resources for local Auxiliary units, Randy formed the NFP Waukegan Water Safety Association in 2001. Since 1976, Randy has been an active member of the Chicago-area commercial real estate scene, starting his career at Arthur Rubloff & Co. and from 1979 at Podolsky & Associates in Riverwoods, IL. He has been working on the development of Navy Pier Marina since 2015 and is excited to make this a reality for all recreational boaters interested in an easy-to-reserve transient mooring in the heart of Chicago.

ABOUT NAVY PIER

Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming nearly 8 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more. The Pier celebrated its 100ᵗʰ anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion, and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including the opening of Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to present free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate, and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.

ABOUT EDGEWATER RESOURCES

Edgewater Resources is a full-service design, planning, and engineering consultancy specializing in marinas and waterfronts across the United States and around the world. Our team provides expertise in coastal and marine engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture, with experience gained through the design of hundreds of marinas.