MARION — An underground garage, accessible lift and improved pedestrian pathways are some of the planned improvements that could come along with a new proposed harbormaster office and maritime facility on Island Wharf in Marion. 

During a Feb. 8 meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission, Derek Redgate, an engineer working on the harbormaster project with Coastal Engineering Co., explained that the proposed 1,500 square-foot facility would “essentially function similarly to what it is today,” but with some improvements.

“We’re going to provide two rows of parking, with a revised parking layout for both [visitors] and the harbormaster,” said Redgate, who added that there will be new curbing and pedestrian walkways that will “link to the wharf” as well as to the staircase leading to the new harbormaster office. 

The new facility, Redgate explained, would be a single story raised approximately 22 feet off the ground. Surrounding the facility would be a raised deck that faces the water. Along with stairs, it will have a lift for handicapped access “integrated with the decking,” said Redgate. 

Below the facility, an underground storage area could be used to park a vehicle and have it “hidden away,” said Redgate. 

The original cost of the new harbormaster facility was estimated at $2.9 million, however the facility’s cost estimate has risen alongside the cost of building supplies.

“From what I understand is that the project as a whole is being evaluated for a revised cost and then that will be brought to Town Meeting,” said Redgate. 

Already, $700,000 was allocated toward the project during last year’s May Town Meeting, and three grants from the Seaport Economic Council have funded the project for around $1.6 million. 

“The [costs] have unfortunately gone up significantly — close to a 30% increase,” said Interim Marion Town Administrator Judy Mooney at a Jan. 18 meeting of the Marion Select Board. “We’re going to go back and take a look at our next options.”