TO: HARBOR COMMISSION
FROM: KATHERINE BUCK, WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN UPDATE ON THE PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH PROJECT
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BACKGROUND
King Harbor has historically operated without a public boat launch and instead utilizes a boat hoist to provide coastal access for vessels. Since 1959, the City has evaluated more than 20 potential locations for a public boat launch.
In 2022, the City Council approved the King Harbor Public Amenities Plan, which identified Mole D as the preferred location. Mole D was favored by the general public, Harbor Commission and City Council because of its proximity to open water and its ability to accommodate the necessary parking and circulation. A boat launch on Mole D can also ensure compliance with Measure C, which requires a two-lane launch with 60 trailer parking spaces, separation from the hand launch, no loss of boat slips, and compliance with applicable safety and Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) design standards.
In 2024, the City contracted with Moffatt & Nichol to conduct technical studies and evaluate potential locations on Mole D for the boat launch.
Staff held three meetings with the Harbor Commission Boat Launch Subcommittee on August 11, September 3, and October 9, 2025, to review proposed location options and supporting technical studies. The City also hosted a public workshop on September 23, 2025. Following the workshop, the subcommittee reviewed Option E, a refinement of Option B developed in response to public feedback.
On October 13, 2025, the Harbor Commission unanimously recommended design Option E as the preferred location for the boat launch. On November 4, 2025, the City Council unanimously selected Option E and directed staff to apply for the DBW Boat Launching Facility (BLF) Grant, which would fund final design, permitting and construction.
The City worked with Moffatt & Nichol to submit the application for the 2026/2027 BLF grant cycle on January 30, 2026. The application provided preliminary designs and a cost estimate for design Option E. DBW conducted a site visit on April 8, 2026 to see the potential site for the boat launch and to discuss the project with staff. Based on the feedback from DBW, staff worked with Moffatt & Nichol to submit a revised preliminary design and cost estimate for Option E that still retains the same location and circulation for the boat launch as supported by Harbor Commission and City Council. Staff submitted the revised project materials in June 2026 and DBW will let applicants know about the status of funding in January 2027.
Staff will provide an oral presentation regarding the feedback received from DBW and the revised cost estimate.