A huge project is starting in Beaufort’s Waterfront Park. Here’s what you need to know.

Just in time for summer on the water, a long-awaited Beaufort project is starting this week.

Beaufort officials have talked for years about adding more space to allow boaters to visit downtown by water and tie up to eat, shop or attend events.

If all goes to plan, visitors will have that ability by the summer.

Construction of a new day-use dock in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park will begin next week. O’Quinn Marine Construction and McSweeney Engineers were awarded the work.

Here are some things to know as construction starts:

▪ The dock is expected to be finished no later than the third week of May, said Neal Pugliese, city public projects and facilities director.

“Given the rapidly approaching and prime boating season, we are pursuing an aggressive construction schedule” on the dock, Pugliese said in an email in February.

Work on concrete support along the sea wall is expected to begin next week. The ramp, piling and floats will go in during April, Pugliese said.

Driving piles will be done during the day.

▪ Located near the east side of Waterfront Park, near the playground and bathroom facility, the dock will include 200 feet of docking space and an 80-foot gangway.

▪  The project cost $500,000, of which about $280,000 is covered by state and federal grants.

This story was originally published February 27, 2018 at 2:50 PM with the headline "A huge project is starting in Beaufort’s Waterfront Park. Here’s what you need to know.."