City officials and community members gathered on a blustery Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, to break ground on the Marina Steps project, a major waterfront improvement that aims to connect downtown with the marina and create a vibrant public space for residents and visitors.

Despite challenging high wind conditions, supporters attended the ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on the long-awaited project.

“Your support, energy, and excitement mean so much as we take this important step toward transforming our waterfront into a vibrant gathering place for all,” the City of Des Moines said.

The Marina Steps will create a pedestrian friendly connection and public view corridor between the downtown core and the city’s marina, addressing a missing link identified in community planning efforts dating back decades.

The project calls for a series of stairs and universally accessible ramps that navigate the 36-foot elevation change from the Overlook I Park at South 223rd Street to the waterfront below. Landscaped terraces and lookout points are designed to offer places for rest, play and panorama views of the working marina and Puget Sound.

The project encompasses a roughly 44,856 square foot activity hub that will include seating areas, public art opportunities and stormwater management features. Water infiltration planters and other environmental design elements are expected to help address runoff and improve water quality as part of the overall plan.

The approved budget for the project is $8.5 million, based on a City Council vote in October 2025 to accept a construction bid for that amount. The city has budgeted for the full cost of the project.

Des Moines city leaders approved construction bids for the Marina Steps in 2025 after years of planning, and the effort is part of a broader master plan to enhance downtown access to the waterfront and encourage economic activity along the marina.

Construction on the Marina Steps is expected to continue into 2026, with completion anticipated summer of that year.