PROJECT CASE STUDY
The Marina at Amesbury Point
Set at the confluence of the Merrimack and Pow Wow Rivers, the Marina at Amesbury Point is a transformative waterfront project that brings new life to the Amesbury shoreline. The development includes construction of a new marina and restaurant facility, extensive sitework and landscaping, and the renovation of an existing boat barn, all within a highly regulated coastal environment.
Construction Operations Group was engaged to serve in a dual role as Owner’s Representative and General Contractor, providing comprehensive oversight from early planning through construction. With significant regulatory, stakeholder, and logistical complexity, the project required experienced leadership to guide decision-making, manage risk, and maintain alignment across all parties.
Project Snapshot
Location
Amesbury, MA
Project Type
Marina and waterfront restaurant
Budget
$6M
Building Area
5,000 SF
Role
GC / Construction Management
Schedule
18 months
Status
On track for May 2026 opening
The Challenge
The Marina at Amesbury Point presented a unique combination of regulatory, technical, and community-related challenges. Due to its waterfront location, the project required extensive coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, resulting in a permitting process that extended over two years.
In addition to regulatory complexity, the project faced heightened community sensitivity. Neighbors and local stakeholders expressed concerns regarding environmental impact, construction activity, and long-term effects on the surrounding area, requiring ongoing communication and transparency.
From a construction standpoint, the detailed nature of the waterfront structures, combined with winter conditions in New England, introduced added risk and required constant adaptation of sequencing and logistics to maintain progress.
Cog’s Approach
COG led the project with a focus on early planning, deep involvement, and disciplined execution. From the outset, emphasis was placed on proactive coordination with designers, consultants, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies to reduce uncertainty and maintain momentum.
Risk management played a central role in COG’s leadership approach. When global tariffs threatened material pricing and availability, COG pre-purchased critical materials and stored them on site to protect the project budget and schedule. Constructability issues were addressed immediately as they arose, rather than deferred, ensuring quality standards were upheld throughout the build.
Equally important was COG’s commitment to relationship management. By maintaining open communication with city officials, inspectors, subcontractors, and community members, COG fostered trust and collaboration that supported steady progress through complex phases of the work.
The Outcome
At every phase of the project, COG focused on what it means to Build Better: anticipating challenges, addressing issues early, and maintaining clear communication throughout.
The Marina at Amesbury Point is on track to deliver a high-quality, durable waterfront facility that balances architectural character with long-term operational performance. Throughout construction, COG maintained a safe, clean, and well-organized jobsite while providing full transparency into project costs and progress.
The project has resulted in a thoughtfully executed building that is efficient to maintain, built for longevity, and widely regarded as an architectural asset to the Amesbury waterfront. Through consistent leadership and operational oversight, COG helped transform a complex vision into a lasting community landmark.
