(Above) The latest rendering of a new marina planned for the north side of Navy Pier. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

18-Nov-24 – Construction has officially begun and will continue through winter on the highly anticipated Navy Pier Marina, with plans for its grand opening in the 2025 boating season.

“The years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to this project have come to fruition with this major milestone,” said marina developer Randy Podolsky (left) at a formal “water breaking ceremony” on November 12. “Believing in a dream and making it a reality makes it all worthwhile to be able to bring recreational boater access to Navy Pier.”

The privately-funded marina will offer transient docking for recreational and commercial boats, both local and visiting, accommodating vessels up to 183 feet in length. Concierge services, power and water hookups, Wi-Fi, and a pump-out station will be provided.

A two-story boater amenity building, comprised of repurposed shipping containers built by Chicago-based S.I. Container Build, will house the marina office, store, restrooms, showers, bicycle repair station, and a pet-friendly boater’s lounge.

(Right) Rendering of planned boater amenity building.

Podolsky has been an active member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1991. He has been working on the development of Navy Pier Marina since 2016.

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