A long-anticipated renovation of the Des Moines Marina, approved by the city council earlier this year, is getting underway.

The $32.75 million, 11-stage project is expected to take place over the next 20 years.

"The marina is almost 40 years old and it's time for us to start replacing some of the things that are starting to wear out," said Des Moines City Manager Tony Piasecki.

The many changes planned will be compatible with a passenger-only ferry if that service comes to Des Moines, Piasecki observed.

Among structures targeted for replacement are the timber-pile bulkhead around the marina perimeter, the seawall, the timber breakwater near the entrance to the Marina, docks, floatation facilities under the docks, the fuel delivery system to the fuel dock and dry shed doors.

In addition, the marina master plan recommends making changes consistent with boating trends.

"The biggest change people will see is the mix of slips within the marina," Piasecki said.

New slips will trend toward larger boats-30, 32 and 40 feet in length-compared to smaller slips now in place for 20, 24 and 28 foot boats, he noted.

"The reason for that is the demand from the boating community," which is trending toward larger boats because of the decline in recreational salmon fishing opportunities, Piasecki said.

Most of the smaller boats that occupied the marina in the '70s, '80s and early '90s were recreational boats-and recreational boating was geared to salmon fishing. With changing opportunities boating is becoming more cruise-oriented.

"The people who have stayed in boating have essentially gotten away from recreational fishing as their primary activity and ... they're buying larger boats," Piasecki explained. "They throw the kids, the grandkids and the dog on there and they go to some other destination for the weekend.

"People go from place to place kind of like jumping in the car and going to parks to camp."

Meeting the demand for larger slips means reconfiguring the number of boat slips available in each size range, as well as creating amenities like nicer restrooms and laundry and shower facilities that will attract boaters.

The existing restrooms will be demolished and rebuilt.

Additional upland changes such as adding another restaurant and a marine hardware store will contribute to more commercial activity at the marina, Harbormaster Joe Dusenbury said.

"That'll just help us generate more revenue and create some more services that boaters need," Dusenbury said.

The new marina master plan also calls for getting rid of services boaters don't need.

Among these is the public boat launch. Its use has decreased by 40 percent since 1999, and it would need to be completely refurbished or replaced to continue in use, Piasecki said.

Recommendations for increased car parking, decreased boat trailer parking and added landscaping are aimed at making the area safer for both cars and pedestrians, and enhancing the aesthetics of the marina grounds.

A pedestrian walkway is planned around the perimeter if the marina, as well as an electronic security gate at the north entrance.

The vast majority of funding for the 20-year marina improvement project plan will come from the revenue from permanent moorage, guest moorage and fuel sales, Piasecki continued.

A small amount of the revenue will come from the city's general fund, real estate excise tax or sales tax, he said.

Dusenbury suggested that bond issues might account for some of the revenue.

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"The people who have stayed in boating have essentially gotten away from recreational fishing as their primary activity and ... they're buying larger boats."

Des Moines City Manager Tony Piasecki