Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Renovation to be Considered by Council

A proposed, multi-million dollar renovation of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Harbor will be considered by the Grosse Pointe Shores City Council following a recent hearing before planning commission.

The proposed renovation, which will reduce the number wells from 252 to 238 but will not change the size of the harbor, was recently approved by the Planning Commission. According to club officials, the project will cost between $8-9 million and will enlarge the fairways to improve flow of boat traffic inside the marina.

Additionally the renovation calls for adjusting the well sizes to accommodate the current boat sizes, and club officials say they will work public safety personnel to improve fire fighting abilities in the east dock area. 

The Yacht Club has already replaced the outer east wall, south of the bridge, damaged by the winter ice floes.

"You've got to protect your outer wall first," said Yacht Club Commodore William Vogel, Jr. "Now we are working on updating some of the docks which are at the end of their useful life."

Officials with the club plan on conducting the work in phases to avoid conflicts with the boating season, annually starting in November and finishing in April. 

The Planning Commission also approved a motion to have the City Council investigate opportunities apply for grants to study the accretion problem, which has built up along the shoreline north and south of the yacht club harbor, and find possible solutions. 

Rebecca Booth, who lives north of the yacht club, appreciated the additional motion made by the commission to have the community pursue grants and while working with engineers from the yacht club.

"It is great to work with the yacht club if we can," said Booth.

City Council may consider the renovation plans at the Oct. 15 meeting.