Gloucester watermen will soon have another option of where to dock their boats: Perrin Wharf.

Although boats can now tie up at the pier at Perrin Wharf, later this year watermen can—for a fee—contract to use an improved docking and unloading area at the site, said Harrison Bresee, regional economic planner for the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission. The commission provides staff for the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority, which has taken over ownership of Perrin Wharf from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Bresee said that the authority has received a joint permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and is awaiting a building permit from Gloucester County for the project.

A grant is involved which requires that construction be completed by Sept. 30, Bresee said.

Plans are to build slips perpendicular to the present pier to allow more boats to be docked there. At present, boats can only tie up alongside the 320-foo...