The Marina and Seaplane Base re-build project is on hyper speed.
Reconstruction is under design. The brand new boat docks, seaplane docks and fueling dock should be completed and available for use by late fall 2020.
In the meantime, many boaters and seaplane pilots are enjoying mooring up along the Tavares shoreline, fueling at the fuel pumps or unloading and loading passengers at the temporary docks. The Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina is located at 150 E Ruby Street. For more please call 352.742.6267.
Update # 5: Sunday, June 6, 2019
Marina & Seaplane Base will be better than before
City officials have estimated that the city’s seaplane base and marina, which was destroyed in September 2017 by Hurricane Irma, should be up and ready for use by late fall 2020.
City Administrator John Drury said the dock rebuild is right on track with the approximate four-year time frame it takes to construct a large city project and, in fact, is on “hyper speed” because it is a re-build of the Marina & Seaplane Base.
How long does it take to build a city project that is large?
The rule of thumb in a typical governmental agency is that it takes:
- one year to decide whether to do the project (The docks were already built so we don’t have to spend
the time deciding) - one year to find the money (The good news is the city had purchased "replacement coverage and betterment insurance coverage" on the Marina and Seaplane Base)
- one year to design (currently nearing completion), engineer and permit a project (obtain permits from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and St. John’s Water Management District).
- and one year to construct a project — and that’s a fast-track community project
As an example, the Tavares Pavilion on the Lake, a city-owned events venue took six years to build, and the new public safety complex, which by the time it opens next month would have taken seven years, as examples.
So, when are the docks going to be rebuilt?
We estimate they should be up and ready for use by late fall 2020.
We thank you for your patience and understanding, post-Hurricane Irma. We will keep you updated on the progress of the project and look forward to providing the City of Tavares with a wonderful new Marina and Seaplane Base.
Photo today:
Below: Historical photos of the Tavares Marina & Seaplane Base after Hurricane Irma
The storm was born Aug. 30, 2017, near Africa. It surged into a catastrophic Category 5 with 185 mph winds. It hit the Keys as a Cat 4 and plowed north, passing through the Tavares area the night of Sunday, Sept. 10, and the morning of Sept. 11, 2017. In Lake County, 69 mph gusts were measured at 3:46 a.m. at the Leesburg International Airport five miles west of the Tavares Marina & Seaplane Base.
