Downtown Boat Slips on Track for February CompletionBy Carl WagenfohrCLEARWATER - Its construction schedule having slipped from completion dates of Fall 2009 and December 2009, Clearwater's downtown boat slip project is now on track for being "substantially complete" by the end of February, 2010, according to the city's construction manager Perry Lopez. Lopez attributed the lengthened schedule to delays in obtaining permits from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Having received the permits, the city issued a Notice to Proceed to Meisner Marine on September 21. Meisner's mobilization is now evident, with the presence of a construction barge on site this Monday. The first order of business, according to Lopez, is the installation of protective riprap along the sea wall. That will be followed by installation of pilings, floating docks, sewerage pump station, electrical service and gangways. The construction should proceed rapidly according to Lopez, as most of the dock materials have already been manufactured and simply need to be installed. Lopez estimated that tenants would be able to move their boats to the facility in the first or second week of March, 2010. To date 25 boaters have made commitments to become tenants at the 125-slip facility. They have apparently been undeterred by the delay in construction; none have asked for their money back according to Harbormaster Bill Morris.
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