Mobile seeks engineering firm for McNally Park marine improvements

The City of Mobile is seeking qualifications from engineering and design firms for the McNally Park Marine Improvements Project, an early planning step focused on the park’s waterfront facilities.

The solicitation may address the boat launch, jetties and canal conditions, but it does not approve construction, establish a project cost or commit the city to a construction schedule.

Qualifications due Aug. 7

Firms must submit their qualifications by noon CST on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. The city’s solicitation asks firms to describe their experience, project approach, technical capabilities, key personnel and relevant project history.

The selected firm may be asked to provide preliminary engineering, conceptual design, permitting assistance, cost estimates, construction documents, bid support, possible grant-coordination assistance and construction administration services.

Responses must be delivered in a sealed envelope to the Programs and Project Management Department at 205 Government Street, 2nd Floor, in Mobile. The city lists Jake Clements as the contact for questions. The solicitation also required a July 16 online question-and-answer meeting and site visit for participating prime consultants.

Waterfront problems are the focus

Same-day reporting by FOX10 said the city is seeking long-term approaches for maintaining the boat launch, jetties and canal.

The city’s stated purpose is to design and update marine elements to improve the McNally Park waterfront’s functionality, resiliency, accessibility and public use. The RFQ does not identify a final construction package or say that dredging, repairs or other physical work has been funded.

Fishing pier is still only a possibility

A future fishing pier could be considered as part of conceptual planning, according to FOX10’s report. The pier is not a finalized amenity and is not a construction commitment in the current solicitation.

That distinction matters to boaters, anglers and nearby residents. The city is first seeking design expertise to evaluate possible marine improvements. Decisions about the final scope, funding, construction authorization and timing would come later.

What happens next

After the Aug. 7 deadline, the city will evaluate the submitted qualifications. A later professional-services agreement or construction decision would be a separate action.

For now, the RFQ signals that Mobile is examining long-term options for McNally Park’s waterfront. It does not guarantee that the boat launch will be repaired, canal sediment removed, jetties changed or a fishing pier built.

Sources

• City of Mobile McNally Park Marine Improvements RFQ
• FOX10: City of Mobile looking for engineering firm to look at marine improvements at a local park