Plans for the Navy Pier Marina are set to move forward on the north side of the famed pier structure in Streeterville. Located at roughly 848 E Grand Avenue, the project has been in the works for years as part of the greater modernization efforts for the pier as it pivots for the next generation. Dubbed the Navy Pier Marina, the project is being led by NPM Ventures LLC and its founder Randy Podolsky.
Site plan of Navy Pier Marina via Google Maps
Plans for the marina which will run along the existing north slip date back almost a decade now, with the design receiving approval from the City Council in 2016. However plans were indefinitely stalled under Mayor Lori Lightfoot whose office would not discuss the project, during which the Chicago Department of Transportation refused to issue a construction permit. This eventually led to a 2021 lawsuit against the city, which has now been resolved.
Now under the new administration, the developer has reached an agreement with the city and is submitting their final plans for a Harbor Permit. The project would include 6,400 lineal-feet of mooring space with in-slip pump out, electricity, and water services, a small building with a lounge, laundry, showers, concierge, and a ship store. The marina would also be accessible 24-hours of the day with on-site staff, accommodating vessels up to 130-feet long.
Current view of site for Navy Pier Marina via Google Maps
The project is also being privately funded and will not require city funding, and future users will be able to make easy online reservations to utilize the space as it’ll focus on short-term docking. A formal budget is not known, but the developer has been working with Navy pier on the proposal over the years. Construction is set to start next year, with an anticipated opening date of early summer 2025.
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Why , with short term docking , would locker rooms , showers and a laundry be necessary ?
After a day of swimming and sunbathing, why wouldnt you want to hop into the shower for a quick rinse? Seems like a reasonable and good thing to have for me
“Short term docking” could also mean a stay of a few days / nights. For example, a boater making a weekend trip from Michigan or Milwaukee pays $100+ or so per night for a short term slip. These amenities are standard in marinas around the Great Lakes for these types of visitors.
Smaller boats might not have showers. Thank day trip from Milwaukee and such.
Oh My God!, this project started in the 1990’s when I lived in Chicago and was postponed after 9/11 because it was ‘too close’ to the water treatment plant. Then, when they realized it was not a threat it was started up again only to be blocked by Lightfoot admin. for I can only imagine why… They had to sue the city at taxpayer’s expense to get this good idea finally approved. It’s a dead space and a marina is a great idea. Will be great if and when it finally gets built.
As one of Lori Lightfoot’s honorary personal spokeshumans, I wish to report that Ms. Lightfoot disagrees with this project advancing in the strongest of terms!
Thank you for the input spokeshuman! I wish to report that I am in full support of this project in the strongest of terms!
I hope they consider broader aesthetic improvements along the north side of Navy Pier. Now, it’s an overwide service drive. This has the potential to make the pier truly a 4-sided attraction. This would also be a good time to make some minor aesthetic improvements to the south side of the purification plant. Chicago has a lot of dead space.
Agreed, there’s so much space wasted just for accommodating cars on the north side. The entire pier could be so much better being car free. There’s so much parking available just shy of the pier.
This development will hopefully help leaders see this untapped potential more fully.
I do see bemused tourists walking along that side of the pier from time to time. Bless their hearts.
This project actually dates back to the 90s. It was canceled right after 9/11 due to fears of an attack on the filtration plant.
I’m hoping this will be the gate way to more lakefront water taxi service. I’d also like to see ferry service daily from navy pier to near by city’s as they have between Grand Haven and Milwaukee.
hugh johnson doesnt have a problem with this
You can bet this project was delayed because those in the previous administrations wanted some sort of kickback and the developers were unwilling to pay the amount required to obtain approval. Maybe the new administration’s powerbrokers are asking for less now and offered a Black Friday sale price.
Attack on Water Filtration plant! What a joke. If that’s the case, maybe the City should close down the Pier in its entirety, if the location is such a threat to Chicago’s drinking water.