State Street Landing and Tucker’s Wharf Resilience Improvement Project
The Town is underway with an important climate resilience initiative to protect and improve the State Street Landing and Tucker’s Wharf area- key waterfront infrastructure that serves our recreational boaters, commercial fishing fleet, visitors, and residents. Located in the heart of Marblehead’s historic harbor front, this Town-owned area is increasingly vulnerable to flooding, storm surge, and sea-level rise due to climate change.
With funding support from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), this project builds on previous planning work and will develop detailed assessments and conceptual designs to enhance the area’s long-term resilience. The project includes:
- Site-specific vulnerability and flood risk analysis using updated coastal hazard data and projections for 2030, 2050, and 2070.
- Community engagement with residents, businesses, boaters, and fishermen to gather feedback and guide design decisions.
- Design of adaptation strategies to reduce flood risk, protect critical infrastructure, and expand safe public access to the harbor front.
- Short- and long-term maintenance planning to ensure the stability of existing seawalls and public amenities while new improvements are considered.
- Development of conceptual design drawings and cost estimates for future capital improvements.
This project supports the Town’s broader climate adaptation goals and will contribute to preserving the character and function of our working waterfront while preparing Marblehead for the climate challenges of the future. Public input and transparency will remain central to this process.
Salem Sound Coastwatch, Woods Hole Group, and Collins Engineers are working with the Town of Marblehead on this project to assess the site’s flood risk vulnerabilities and explore possible solutions to reduce flooding from storms and sea level rise.
Further Information:
Woods Hole Group Presentation (Coastal Flood Vulnerability and Conceptual Alternatives) May 22, 2025 – Presentation PDF / Zoom Recording
To learn more about past projects, please visit the Marblehead Salem Sound Coastwatch webpage
Marblehead Shipyards Resilience Improvement Project
The two-year CZM Coastal Resilience grant (FY23-24) finalized the long-term retrofits and adaptations proposed in the FY22 CZM Coastal Resilience grant. Seawall design was taken to 75% design for Parkers Boatyard, Hammond Park, and Cliff Street Boatyard, and permits were submitted to the appropriate agencies. Expanding public access and water-related activities remain high priorities as the shoreline is stabilized for the future with reconstructed seawalls to an elevation of 11.5 feet NAVD88. Site improvements will include floating wave attenuating docks and a timber boardwalk that connects Hammond Park to Parkers Boatyard.
Project Presentation – 03/22/2024
Public Forum: Marblehead Light Department and Adjoining Properties June 9, 2022