In 1982, a personal operator installed steel pilings, a floating wood dock, gangway, and timber walkway from the top of the levee to the Sacramento River under a lease from the State Lands Commission (SLC). Originally serving as a personal dock, it went on to serve other uses, such as a mooring and boarding area for the tour boat Elizabeth Louise and stop for the River Otter Water Taxi Service. By 2000, the dock was in disrepair and in 2008 was deemed hazardous and all uses were discontinued.
Since 2011, City staff has taken a series of extensive actions with federal, state and local partners to construct the new dock that would be open to the public. These actions, among others, included securing a new lease, funding, permitting, construction and art for the new public dock.
The new dock will provide the Sacramento River boating community with access to recreation, sports, cultural and entertainment amenities in the urban core of the region generating regional tourism, activating the riverfront, and stimulating the local economy. The new dock will also support recreational and excursion boating activities for trips from the San Francisco and Delta communities. The City is also exploring potential opportunities with operators who can provide amenities and services at the dock.