OCEANSIDE — The Oceanside City Council unanimously agreed on a location for the installation of a beach restoration pilot project during a Nov. 20 meeting.
Earlier this year, the concept was selected by a jury as the best project at the RE:BEACH Oceanside International Design Competition to restore and retain sand on Oceanside beaches by mimicking natural California coastal features like headlands and reefs to slow sand erosion from the beach and sandbars.
The council decided to install the “living speed bumps” project, which involves building two small headlands with an artificial reef between them, at Tyson Street Park and Wisconsin Avenue.
Oceanside Coastal Zone Administrator Jayme Timberlake said the city is taking “proactive measures to responsibly address both chronic coastal erosion and sea level rise along the shoreline” while also expanding coastal management options with the pilot project.
“The selected location will allow for the benefits to be fully showcased, performance goals to be met most efficiently, and will enable a more predictable timeline for implementation,” Timberlake said.
To determine the best location for this pilot project, the city conducted a siting analysis over the summer that looked at existing beach amenities, including restrooms, parking spaces and public transit access. It also assessed the risk of installing a novel sand retention system, reviewed private and public properties, assessed surf resources and reviewed biological sensitivities.
These criteria were scored across three of Oceanside’s coast’s more eroded segments, with the highest scores occurring between Tyson Street Park and Wisconsin Avenue.
According to the city, several months of public engagement also influenced where the project would be located.
“We look forward to moving ahead with the design and construction of this transformational project to bring back Oceanside’s beautiful beaches,” said City Manager Jonathan Borrego. “We have a responsibility to preserve and protect one of Oceanside’s most treasured resources – its sandy beaches – for not only this generation to continue enjoying, but also the next.”
The project is expected to cost around $31.4 million, with an anticipated $500,000 in annual maintenance.
To stay updated on the project, visit rebeach.org.
