Rio Salado Town Lake Marina Concept Study and Final Design -- Tempe, Arizona

As part of the overall Tempe Town Lake project in the City of Tempe, Arizona, a concept design study was performed to determine the best marina layout concept to carry forward to final design. The site proposed covered 13-acres and is located on the north bank of the Salt River. The goal from the City of Tempe's (City's) standpoint was to provide a design that would meet the needs of anticipated boating and recreational uses yet follow the public process for review. This location on the Town Lake is probably the most valuable real estate along its perimeter. Developers had other very creative design concepts that were oriented toward generating significant revenue. These concepts became somewhat disruptive during the public process and were often contradictory to the City's design direction. The Town Lake Marina project has significant economic and physical site constraints. Primary funding for the design and construction came from a State Lake Improvement Fund Grant for about approximately 2.4 million dollars. Primary site constraints included overhead 230 KV powerlines, a 54-inch sanitary sewer line, a triangular shaped parcel, and limited access. The scope for the concept study was to develop three design concepts to present to the public and City Council. After a total of nine concepts were prepared, a recommended design was selected and approved by the city council to carry forward into design. Key features included in design included: a public boat launch Ramp; a safe harbor marina; dry boat storage; car/trailer parking; a floating ring-type dockage-system; a site for the Rio Salado Operations center with skull/canoe storage in the lower level and including parking for 150 cars; a water quality apparatus; and landscape integration. The first bid package was a basic grading package. As part of the design a Conditional Letter of Map Revision was prepared and submitted to FEMA. Key review agencies included City of Tempe Public Works, Flood Control District of Maricopa County, Arizona Department of Transportation, City of Phoenix Water/Wastewater, and Salt River Project. Present construction cost estimates exceeds 4.5 million dollars, including design.