Marina Redevelopment Project
The completion of the new marina at the Port of Bandon is the result of a long sought after project by the Port Commission, Bandon Old Town merchants, and the boating community. The new marina replaces the original and well-used facility built in the early 80’s that had gone well past its design life.
The project began in 2018, and involved evaluating the existing marina, assessing demand and function, exploring design options, selecting a preferred design, obtaining permits, and seeking and securing funding. After fully evaluating the condition of the existing docks and piles the Port decided a full replacement was the most practical and responsible option moving forward. The Port hired PND Engineering to present replacement design options. Rian Johnson, of PND engineering, conceptualized a design that utilized a concrete dock breakwater to protect the marina, along with fiberglass reinforced plastic grated decking on the interior docks, a durable product protective of the marine environment. With the preliminary design in hand, port staff wrote and obtained all local, state, and federal permits required for the project.
With approval of all permits, and with the project ready to go, the Port started to seek out funding opportunities. In 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to lift economies, the US Congress passed the American Recovery Plan Act, signed by President Biden. Among other things the Act provided funding to states, including Oregon, for economic recovery. The Oregon Governor’s Office made an agreement with Oregon’s legislators to use some of these funds toward shovel ready projects across the state. This provided Oregon Senator David Brock Smith, then a house member, to work with Senator Heard in support of awarding $2.8 million to the Port of Bandon to develop this project. Following this award the Port applied for additional funds through the Oregon Marine Board Boater Infrastructure Grant Program, the USFWS Boating Infrastructure Grant Program and Business Oregon’s Port Infrastructure Development Fund as well as private sources (namely the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation).
The Port contributed to this project by writing and obtaining all required permits, seeking and writing numerous grants, providing a significant cash match, soliciting bids, and awarding and overseeing the construction contract with West Coast Contractors. West Coast in turn subcontracted with Bellingham Marine on the final dock design, fabrication, and dock delivery, KPFF engineering for the final overall marina design, Topper Industries for the new east end 100’ gangway, Kyle Plumbing for potable water and fire flow water delivery systems, and Reese Electric for modernized dock electric service. The City of Bandon Electric Department provided upgrades to power transformers needed to service the new facility. WCC also subcontracted with Bergerson Construction for the associated suction pipe dredge work, removing over 30,000 yards of sediment in the basin in between dock and pile removal and the installation of the new marina.
The new facility has a 35-50 year design life, and includes an ADA accessible kayak launch and 100’ long lightly sloping gangway from the main boarding pier. It offers over 80 slips from 20’ to 70’ in length for daily to year around moorage, and two 80’ slips and one 120’ side berth for additional transient boaters.
