
HAMPTON — The Partnership for New Phoebus and the city worked together to create a public pier for residents and visitors.
And the grand opening is next week.
The pier, located off Mellen Street at the Phoebus Waterfront Park, is 96 feet, has an attached floating dock and is ADA accessible, said Robin McCormick, spokeswoman for the city.
The entire project cost the city $290,211 and the Sandbridge Marine Corp. was the general contractor.
“Construction began in June 2018 and all work was completed in November 2018 except parking lot lighting which was completed earlier this month,” she wrote in an email.
While construction for the pier, dock and adjacent parking lot took less than a year, the idea for building a public dock for Phoebus has been in the works for well more than five years, noted Toni Williams, director of the Partnership for New Phoebus, a civic organization for Phoebus community.
“There are no other areas where people can come to shore by boat,” she said. “It is an opportunity for boaters who are visiting the area to get out and enjoy Hampton.”
Williams said the newly built dock is geared toward smaller boats or dinghies and also serves as a public landing for kayaks and canoes.
In addition, she hopes to add a gazebo, park benches and a public art sculpture to the waterfront park area in the future, depending on the city’s budget of course.
The Phoebus Dock Party & Sock Burning is at the Phoebus Dinghy Dock, 35 Water St. on March 23 from noon to 5 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to bring wool or cotton socks for the burn barrel and another pair to donate to the Salvation Army.
For more information, visit the the Partnership for Phoebus website.