Marina del Rey Marina has just completed a landmark, six-year rebuild, consisting of seven phases including the newest technology in dock construction today.
This brand new marina is situated adjacent to the recently renovated historic Marina Del Rey Hotel and wraps around the peninsula ultimately flowing directly into the main channel. Located just four miles west of the Los Angeles International Airport sits Marina del Rey Harbor, America’s largest man-made harbor, home to nearly 5,000 boat slips in 22 separate anchorages. The harbor is known for attracting visitors who enjoy a variety of restaurants, retail, biking and walking paths as well as other shore-side attractions and water-based activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, boating, marine birdwatching and more.
The Marina del Rey Marina rebuild and design project began in 2014 and was completed in a series of seven stages. The project’s phasing was lengthened over six years due to lengthy permitting processes and restrictions. The driving of in-water piles which can only be installed from September to April extended the project’s timeline during planning and construction. The final phase was completed in May of 2020.
Though the marina is privately owned and operated, authorization from Los Angeles County, California Coastal Commission, and the Army Corp of Engineer’s was necessary to rebuild the 46-year old marina. The original design included 349 slips, while the renovated marina now totals at 277 slips with thirteen end ties ranging from 35 feet to 65 lineal feet.
The Bellingham Marine docks, used in the marina renovation, feature the latest in floating dock technology and marina amenities utilizing the first-ever US application of Fiberglass Reinforced Polymeric (FRP) Waler and Thru-Rod Technology. The research and development of this product was advanced through common challenges faced when building in an aquatic environment taking into consideration factors such as decomposition and concerns over environmental impacts. FRP Walers provide a product with a virtually unlimited design life, further enhancing the longevity associated with the construction of concrete floating docks.
The innovative and proprietary technology in this particular FRP system brings the advantage of less required periodic maintenance, a lengthened service life when compared to other dock technology, and rust and decay resistance delivered by state of the art corrosion-resistant fiberglass and chemical-free composite system. The composite fiberglass construction is more sustainable than other construction methods, and the entire FRP system has a smaller environmental footprint than comparable traditional systems. The marina also features an advanced pumpout system, modern communication systems, and new utilities providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing result.
In 2018, the Marine Recreation Association’s named Bellingham’s FRP Waler and Thru-Rod technology the recipient of their prestigious Innovation Award. “We could not be happier to have completed the reconstruction of our marina with the newest technology in the marketplace. Bellingham has been a great partner, to Almar, for over 35 years. During that time Bellingham has built more than 12 projects for us and is in the final design and engineering phase to deliver 2 more marina projects.” says Randy Short, President of Almar Management. Marina Del Rey Marina is truly built for the future of boating, assuring that this historic waterfront destination is accessible to current and future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy.
