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As published in the North Bay Business Journal, Feb. 21, 2005: Tides Wharf & Restaurant, Bodega "It was cold and wet," remembers Dave Bartle, who was project superintendent on the remodeling of the Tides Wharf & Restaurant in Bodega Bay. "And we had an audience of seals every day." But the work went on, through days of "horizontal rain." The project, which included a complete overhaul of the restaurant and construction of a new generator house and fish processing plant on the site, included other challenges, too, that the Jim Murphy & Associates team met with creativity. The primary challenge was to keep the business open to customers and commercial fisherman through the entire 24-month construction period (summer 1995 through summer 1997). Not only did the popular restaurant, bar, snack bar, and gift shop need to stay operational, but the high-volume wholesale fish processing plant and retail fish market as well. To meet this challenge, the JMA team - project manager Steve Ronchelli, Dave, and the subcontractors they would work with on the project - knew they had to use a phased approach. They carefully developed a systematic work plan to focus on one area at a time. "Phasing had to happen in a certain direction, so we wouldn't back ourselves into a corner," says Steve. "We started with the new generator house, at the southeast corner of the property," reports Dave. Mandated for the restaurant's coastal permit, the free-standing generator keeps the business operating during power outages. "Everybody in the area knows they can get a warm meal at the Tides when the electricity's down," says Steve. The next phase focused on relocating the fish processing operation to the south end of the Tides' wharf, which was also expanded. This made unloading catches from fishing vessels more efficient, and the new plant set-up afforded the customers a lively and picturesque view of the operation inside the building. Once the fish processing operation moved, the old plant could be refashioned as the restaurant, enlarged and upgraded, with its adjoining bar and fish market. When this phase was completed, the snack bar, gift shop, and administrative offices were to be rebuilt. Then a floating dock would be added, so private boats could be tied up while their passengers and crews enjoy a meal at the snack bar or restaurant, or purchase needed supplies at the bait and tackle shop. "The only thing that never changed was the main drive and entrance," says Dave. "But once people entered the building, they were directed by signs to a constantly evolving set of temporary locations." Plywood walls were erected to protect customers and muffle construction sounds, and the result was a little like a maze of aisleways to customer destinations. Some operations, such as the gift shop, moved into trailers until their new homes were completed. "We gutted the interior, expanded the exterior, and built something that works for everyone," says Dave. The $5 million renovation project produced a streamlined operation and a more beautiful facility. The Tides Wharf & Restaurant continues to be a favorite spot for travelers to have a good meal, while they watch fishing boats unloading their catch and sea otters playing near the wharf pilings. And, for the restaurant owner, not one day of business was lost, and not one customer was ever turned away.
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