The aging bulkhead and sunken dock at Turney Street in Sausalito might be getting a modern makeover.
The City Council approved a proposal Tuesday to replace the dilapidated structure and silt-filled slips with a “reconfigurable modular floating dock system.”
The council selected the proposal by Josh Richman and David Kornmeyer for a one-year pilot project at the site. If it is successful, the developers can get a 10-year lease.
“I would be inclined to take the chance on the one-year pilot,” Councilmember Joan Cox said. “There’s really no downside to the city, aside from this is already a dock that’s not in use.”
“I’m thinking the same thing,” Councilmember Jill Hoffman said. “I think this is now the seventh time we’ve had the Turney Street dock on our agenda. … It’s been in disrepair for 20 years.”
“If they don’t perform in a year … let’s just redo the dock with whatever’s left of the grant and call it a day,” she said. “Dredge it if we can and revitalize the slips and move on.”
In February, the council sought proposals to modernize the eyesore on the northern end of the city’s only public boat ramp and dock. The hope was that an innovative project could be in place by this summer and, if successful, become a waterfront fixture.
The city sought proposals “that complement Sausalito’s maritime character, improve public access, protect eelgrass and the surrounding environment, and, importantly, provide a mechanism for visitors to arrive in Sausalito by water,” said Brandon Phipps, assistant city manager.
Phipps said the city had six criteria for the proposals: “revenue generation to the city, benefits to neighboring businesses, benefits to residents, benefits to visitors, creativity and financial viability.”
Two proposals were submitted, the modular floating dock and an art project from Jay Brockman, owner of Shipyard Studio & Gallery. He proposed placing colorful life-size representations of local wildlife such as seagulls, herons, river otters, seals and cormorants. The pieces would emerge as the tide falls.
Staff recommended the council select the floating docks and refer the wildlife art to the Parks and Recreation Commission, which recently updated its process to receive public art.
“They’re calling the concept the Turney Modular Maritime Access Hub,” Phipps said. “The physical strategy is straightforward. It’s removing the dilapidated docks, retain the existing piles as the structural framework and install a modular floating dock system that can be reconfigured over time.”
“The system is designed to evolve based on actual observed use,” he said. “The proposed use includes public landing and dinghy access, short-term boat parking, rental slips, water taxi and boat valet operations, charter staging and food delivery by water, with potential for additional maritime and commercial activation over time.”
During questions and discussion, Councilmember Ian Sobieski noted that the floating dock developers were relying on grants and donations, which they had not yet obtained.
“So they have no money,” he said. “Have you talked to them about their plan for getting the capital required to implement this plan?”
Phipps said he had not.
“My plan was to bring this before council this evening and implement the council’s direction regarding the selection of a preferred partner,” he said.
“Would it be possible for the art installation to also take place at that public site?” Mayor Steven Woodside said.
“I think that would be a great combined approach,” Phipps said.
The council unanimously selected the floating dock and instructed staff to draft contracts. The art proposal was sent to the parks commission.