Navy Pier Marina permits issued, construction set to begin this year

Navy Pier Marina © Kimberly Bruss

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."

Visit the marina's new website navypiermarina.com for construction and opening date updates and reservation information. 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.