City Seeks Public Input for Rebuilding of Bayfront Park Dock

The following is a news release from the city of Mill Valley: 

Environmental review and permitting are an important element of this project. Staff has carefully studied the sensitivity of the salt marsh and Pickleweed Inlet to develop a recommended design that will protect this resource and meet the approval of the agencies that regulate this waterway.

Many community members have expressed to the City the desire to replace the Bayfront Park Boat Dock which was destroyed in the 2005-06 storms.

Guided by its Core Values to preserve health and safety and the community's high quality of life, the Mill Valley City Council established the maintenance and enhancement of City infrastructure as one of its Key Issues. The Mill Valley City Council approved the 2013-14 budget revision, which provides funding for the design and construction of a boat dock at Bayfront Park.

Elements such as construction cost, accessibility for the disabled, aesthetics, impacts to the environment and ability to obtain necessary and timely permits, durability and longevity were all taken into account by our engineer in the evaluations. 

An alternatives study was introduced to the Parks and Recreation Commission in February 2014 for input and direction on the concepts. The Staff Report and the presentation materials from the February 5, 2014 meeting are available for download and are available in hard-copy at the Public Works office at City Hall and the Mill Valley Public Library.  You may also view the webcasted presentation and Commission discussion from the February meeting by clicking here and then clicking the Bayfront Park Boat Dock item on the meeting agenda.

The Staff Report for the March 12, 2014 meeting is available by clicking here

At the February meeting, City staff recommended the design alternative with an 80 foot gangway (Option #1) as the preferred boat dock design. View the Bayfront Park Boat Dock Conceptual Layout. Public comments and suggestions regarding the proposed Bayfront Boat Dock design are desired by the Parks and Recreation Commission. 

There are options for you to provide input, including:

• Attend the next upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 7:00 pm at City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Ave. The meeting will also be webcast live and recorded for on-demand viewing.
• Send written comments via mail to180 Camino Alto Mill Valley, CA 94941 Attn: "Bayfront Park Boat Dock"
• Send written comments via email to parks@cityofmillvalley.org. Please write "Bayfront Park Boat Dock" in the subject line.

After the March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting we will move into the final design and environmental permitting phase of the project. Depending on the location, design could take place as soon as early 2014, with construction in summer of 2014. 

The Mill Valley City Council has identified community-serving facilities and infrastructure improvements that are responsive to community desires and sensitivities as Key Issues. Councilmembers also value a balanced, inclusive, and open approach to decision-making processes and encourage citizen participation. The City recognizes the community's strong feelings and interest regarding the shoreline environment. The City invites comments and different perspectives on the preferred design for the boat dock.

We thank you in advance for your constructive input to help guide the process, and we look forward to hearing from you either in-person at the March meeting or via written comments.

Questions? Please contact Denise Andrews at dandrews@cityofmillvalley.org