Dock will provide water access to Tampa's Riverwalk

2009, Maurice Capobianco/Staff

A state grant and private money will pay for a new dock to accommodate eight recreational boats and a water taxi in the Garrison Channel almost in front of the Tampa Bay History Center. Construction is expected to begin in February or March and be done within six months.

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 16, 2012
Updated: January 16, 2012 - 8:30 AM

TAMPA --

The city has received a state grant to build a place for boaters to dock their vessels and visit the Riverwalk.

The grant will help pay for a dock with slips for eight recreational boats and one water taxi in Garrison Channel, almost immediately in front of the Tampa Bay History Center. The dock will be connected to the Riverwalk by an ADA accessible walkway.

The grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission funds more than 70 percent of the $438,000 needed to build the dock.

Another $40,000 for the project comes from private funding from Friends of the Riverwalk.

The slips will allow boaters easy access to the museum, the Columbia café and other downtown businesses.

"We have this asset with the water which surrounds our downtown, and we don't really capitalize on it," said Bob McDonaugh, the city's acting administrator for economic development. "Let's use it."

A 75-foot aluminum walkway connects to the 100-foot floating dock, he said.

Tampa City Council members discussed the grant at their Jan. 5 meeting.

Construction of the dock likely will begin in February or March and be completed within six months, McDonaugh said.

jpoltilove@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7961