A commercial real estate developer who loves boating is behind a permanent marina set to open next year at Navy Pier. 

The roughly $9 million Navy Pier Marina is the passion project of Randy Podolsky, a commercial real estate veteran, avid boater since 1983 and 29-year member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He said it’s long been his dream to be able to temporarily park his boat to easily enjoy all the city has to offer. 

“Every time I go boating I think to myself, ‘Why can’t I park at Navy Pier?’ ” he said. “And I know that thousands of other boaters feel the same way. It seems like such a waste.” 

The project will be privately financed and is meant to provide boaters easy city access, as docking options within the city have historically been limited. A small boat dock on the south side of the pier was established in 2016, but it was open only temporarily. 

Read more at Crain's Chicago Business