Correction: CSR Boatyard is the correct name of the boat yard in the Des Moines Marina. It was incorrectly identified in Earline Byers' column in the July 16 Times/News.
Also Classic Yachats also is open at the marina. It was inadvertently left off a list of businesses operating in the marina.

The Des Moines Marina is one torn-up mess with fences and construction machines of heavy equipment working everywhere. Recently ICMO Construction tore down about 20 dry storage sheds.

Dock Avenue is closed off to through traffic and the public boat launch is long gone. The only commercial businesses there now are Anthony's Homeport and CRS Boatyard.

Forget those tasty hamburgers - long gone too.

At first sight, the marina is a war zone of action we could live without and a price more than money. Imagine hearing piercing back-up machines beep, beep, beep, with regular doses of crash, bang, thud of digging, scrapping and loading. It's enough to try the soul of saints.

The city is following their marina master plan created over years of planning with citizens, city officials and experts.
History tells us May 10, 1970, Sunday, was the Grand Opening of Des Moines Marina and Des Moines' "most visible asset," as it remains in 2010.

From a population of about 3,000 when this idea took hold to today's population of nearly 30,000 the marina and beautiful harbor has/is a big drawing card and "long recognized excellent site for pleasure boats." Magnificent sunsets and sailboat races are frosting on the cake.

As early as 1946, Des Moines-Zenith Improvement Club plans were developed for a breakwater and boat haven using concrete obtained when air raid shelters at the Boeing Company in Seattle were demolished.

In 1964, Des Moines Jaycees club, in partnership with the city, delivered surveys to a population of about 3,000 asking about interest in a marina. Results were so positive with a second survey of boat owners that construction planning began with city and community working together.

Des Moines City Council passed a resolution for a $10,000 loan application from Housing and Urban Development to pay for a study and qualify the city as large enough to acquire tidelands.

They applied for a certificate of public use that was denied, and appealed in 1967. It almost passed except for certain land that could not be obtained until revising the plan again.

Finally, bids were called for January 1969 and the first rocks were dropped into Puget Sound marking the breakwater location.

Construction began operating around-the-clock and caused community unrest. After more land acquisition and addition of floats A through D, the grand opening took place.

The total loan from DHUD was $3,830,000. In 1977 the city added 67 open moorages making a total of 838 slips. Des Moines Marina is entirely self-supporting paid for by users. Des Moines residents' taxes do not support their marina.

Today the marina is experiencing a much-needed face-lift of new pilings and more. Work is progressing a little ahead of schedule.

When visiting the marina be prepared for a disruption in boating, walking and sightseeing in general. Use north 223rd entrance for access to the fishing pier.

People who exercise daily in the marina and Beach Park, walk their pets, and look for some silence and sanity with a dose of fresh of air, miss that freedom.

However, Harbor Master Dusenbury, and Doreen Torseth, project contract city administrator, worked with the public, boaters and nearby residents to help. Now, Beach Park is quite accessible.

Des Moines Marina is still this city's 2010 "star asset." Judge for yourself when Harbor Master Joe Dusenbury proudly invites the public to come and see their spiffy new-marina-look.

Work may possibly be finished by early December.

Construction sort of resembles children-nine months of growing pains and a lifetime of an "apple of our eye." Yup, that's kinda picture-perfect.

Watch for improvements of community benches seating area with new landscaping where the former public boat launch was and an expanded CSR Boat Yard with nearby travel-lift for moored and repair vessels. All supported by brand new pilings and improved utility services.

Remaining dry storage sheds will stay, Doreen Torseth said.

Des Moines Marina is the most visible city asset. In 1946 a dream gave birth to surveys, in 1977 a marina was dedicated. The scarcity of land capturing nature's public beauty now is priceless.

This marina is a legacy for all to enjoy, a gift from people who made a dream come true. When we love something we protect it.
(Resource: "100 Hundred Years of the Waterland Community;" Editor, Richard T. Kennedy; Associate Editor, Grechen F. Schmidt)

Today's Thought: "He who has all the answers hasn't heard all the questions."
-Anonymous