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PIER & BEACH AREA PROJECT UPDATES

Project Scoping Meeting to be held February 7, 2024

PIER BRIDGE & LIFEGUARD HEADQUARTERS

Over the years, Oceanside has had six piers, with the current wooden pier dedicated in 1987. But the entrance to the pier -- the white concrete structure that bridges The Strand -- is much older. Known as the Pier View Bridge, this concrete structure was built nearly a century ago. Despite maintenance and repairs through the years, it has reached the end of its useful life.

With Measure X revenue, both restoration and replacement plans were carefully considered. The recommendation is to reconstruct the structure, including the construction of a new Lifeguard Service Facility.

The reconstructed bridge will retain the historic look, feel, and character-defining features of the existing bridge, but with seismic strengthening and new ADA access, and an enhanced public patio area. Reconstruction of the bridge was deemed to be the best return on our infrastructure investment.

The City also needs to plan ahead for the Lifeguard Headquarters, currently built into the structure below the Pier View Bridge. The facility is undersized for the current and future needs of the Lifeguards. This will be addressed as part of the project through the reconstruction of the Lifeguard Headquarters and the construction of a new eastern Lifeguard Service Facility.

PROJECT SCOPING MEETING FEBRUARY 7

Community input is an important component of this project to modernize the facilities we all use and love. The City will hold a public scoping meeting to solicit feedback on the environmental analysis process. The project's scope will also be coordinated with the planned adjacent improvements to the Junior Seau Amphitheater / Bandshell, and Plaza (Beachfront Phase II project, outlined down below). This meeting will cover the environmental scope for both projects, as part of the preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report.

All interested parties – including nearby residents and business owners – are encouraged to attend and participate:

Public Scoping Meeting

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

El Corazon Events Center

3306 Senior Center Drive

Oceanside, CA 92056

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BEACHFRONT IMPROVEMENTS PHASE II

Modernization Efforts in Progress

A Beachfront Improvement Feasibility Study was launched in 2020 to explore the different ways we can improve and modernize the heavily-used areas around the Pier: the Junior Seau Beach Community Center, the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater, the adjacent Pier Plaza, and the public spaces in between. Through an extensive period of community outreach, concepts were developed. Currently, the project site is undergoing environmental testing and documentation needed for permitting and design development. This process will take much of 2024. The project will be included in the public scoping meeting above, on February 7. Getting these projects "shovel ready" will allow the City to begin seeking grants or other funding for eventual construction.

Renovation plans include:

The Junior Seau Beach Community Center renovations are planned to include a new roof, floors, and building exterior; new signage, site lighting, concrete sidewalks, and waste receptacles. The Community Center will gain public art commemorating Junior Seau. The interior of the Community Center will have new kitchen equipment installed, and an upgrade to the fire safety system. The restrooms will get updated finishes, plumbing fixtures, and doors. Audio visual equipment upgrades are to be included. The parking lot will be refinished.

Junior Seau Amphitheater renovations are planned to include a reconstruction of the bandshell with an enclosed backstage area with a dressing room, restroom, and sound/lighting control area. The amphitheater seating area will be rebuilt with restrooms, storage, and a sound-mixing station. The area would include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility from Pacific Street to the Strand, movable fencing, new lighting, and signage.

All of these efforts are being coordinated with the adjacent Pier View Way Bridge & Lifeguard Headquarters Project, outlined above.

Harbor Dredging & Sand Placement

Annual Project to Occur in Spring 2024

The US Army Corps of Engineers annually dredges the mouth of the Oceanside Harbor for the safe navigation of vessels. The dredge project typically occurs in the spring. The sand dredged from the Harbor inlet is pumped onto Oceanside beaches. The amount of sand available each year to be placed on the beaches is dependent on how much excess sand fills in the Harbor entrance. Though the quantity varies from year to year, on average the City beaches receive approximately 250,000 cubic yards of sand. How far south the dredged sand can be deposited is dependent upon the erosion that occurred during the preceding months. Often times, the beach on the north side of the Pier must be filled in substantially in order to support the pipe that must be laid on the beach. More information

RE:BEACH Oceanside

Coastal Resilience Design Competition

The RE:BEACH Oceanside project was launched to identify feasible solutions to long-term beach erosion. Through this year-long effort, three conceptual designs for hybrid approaches to sand retention were developed by three teams of coastal engineering experts from around the world. Three public workshops were held to inform the community and gather input on the proposals. Then, a jury and advisory panel of coastal experts and local representatives selected a competition winner, a project proposed by International Coastal Management (ICM). Project concept

At a City Council Workshop last night, the City Council approved moving forward with the ICM project to protect our shoreline.

Next Steps

The approved project now moves directly into the final design and permitting phases. The exact location of the project elements will be determined during this next phase. We'll be providing updates in the City newsletter.

What's Complete?

BEACHFRONT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT PHASE I

Over the past several years, Oceanside has taken significant actions to upgrade its beachfront infrastructure, including the Tyson Street, Sportsfisher Drive, Breakwater Way, and new Pier Plaza restrooms, as well as beach access stairways. Major new sewer lift stations were also constructed and the Strand was repaved, thanks to Measure X. Additionally, a new Police substation and a beach maintenance storage building were added, another effort that Measure X has contributed to. Trees, pavers, lighting and benches were added to the south Pier Plaza. Background Information



Pier Utilities Replacement Project is Wrapping Up

City Replaced Water/Wastewater, Electric and Gas Lines

The Oceanside Pier Utilities Replacement Project is wrapping up. Testing of the water, sewer and fire suppression controls systems recently installed are complete. Construction fencing along the south side of the Pier is now being removed. Parking lot 29 will reopen by mid-February when all the project equipment is taken away.

This $6.7M project was assisted with $4M from the historic American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has helped cities across the nation expedite water and infrastructure projects.