Although steps are being taken to repair a beach access stairway and the surrounding area at Camino de la Costa, a locally formed working group has some concerns about the direction the project is taking, and more specifically the choice of materials and the cost associated with it.
At the Dec. 9 La Jolla Parks & Beaches meeting at the La Jolla/Riford Library, volunteer Tim McConnell applauded the collaborative nature of the work that has taken place thus far and provided other updates. McConnell is the chairman of a working group that was formed to partner with the city of San Diego and shepherd the project.
The Camino de la Costa stairway that leads to the ocean in the Lower Hermosa neighborhood has been falling apart for years, to the point that the concrete is crumbling and the rebar is rusted.
Progress on repairs has been slow, despite the project receiving more than $2 million in state funding in the past three years.
Long Beach-based engineering consultant Moffatt & Nichol completed a 400-plus page feasibility study earlier this year for the city that includes a site assessment, design alternatives, potential environmental impacts and other considerations. The study cost approximately $330,000 to complete, and was funded through the state grant.
The report recommends demolishing the stairs and building the new concrete stairway with an added setback, along with concrete barriers. That bears an anticipated cost of $1.195 million and a construction timeline of at least 70 days.
The project, McConnell said at the Dec. 9 meeting, “would create a safe, ADA-accessible public space that reflects the character of the neighborhood and provides residents and visitors access to one of the most stunning views in La Jolla.”
But, the choice of concrete and its associated cost has raised some working group members’ eyebrows.
Under the city’s proposal to use concrete, what is left of the $2 million allocated by the state — following the completion of the feasibility study and any permit fees — would only cover the cost of the stairs.
But there are other areas that surround the stairs that McConnell said need to be tended to, McConnell said. In particular, he said the parking area needs to be leveled and cleaned up to reduce trip hazards and make vehicle access easier, and an ADA-accessible overlook area needs to be created.
Thus, McConnell said the working group feels that the city’s “current engineering direction does not yet fully reflect … the working group’s objectives based on community input,” adding, “the community wants the whole area done, not just the stairways.”
To reduce costs, McConnell said the working group suggested the city use something other than concrete to build the stairs.
“We requested an evaluation of five nearby coastal staircases that are … wood/hybrid systems that seem to work,” he said, arguing that should the cost of stairway construction be reduced, there would be more money available for other improvements. Wood/hybrid systems can be found in and near Windansea Beach.
A rendering of what could be built at Camino de la Costa, to replace a crumbling stairway there. (Provided by Tim McConnell)
Following these discussions with the city, McConnell said the working group is waiting for a response as to whether a material other than concrete would be viable and how they can reduce costs. He said he was “optimistic” that the project would soon move forward, but did not provide a timeline for future steps.
In other La Jolla Parks & Beaches news:
Retiring board member: After decades of service on La Jolla Parks & Beaches, Phylis Minick announced that the January meeting would be her last. Citing her upcoming 97th birthday and a need to take on fewer commitments, she said she is choosing to step down.
“I wanted to say thank you,” she said to the group. “I am very proud of my membership here and so proud of all of you.”
Minick added she would still volunteer with certain causes as she is able, and would help find donors for Parks & Beaches projects.
Among other projects, Minick was instrumental in establishing the Children’s Pool plaza in 2018. The project was designed to enhance pedestrian flow, install visitor “sitting walls” with vegetation, and improve aesthetics on the sidewalk area above La Jolla’s Children’s Pool beach.
Grass unveiling: LJP&B and San Diego Parks Foundation member Ann Dynes announced the Parks Foundation paid for new grass in a barren area of Scripps Park near a sidewalk.
Working in partnership with the city, she said the Foundation provided the sod and the city provided the labor. The plan is to reopen the revegetated area the morning of Dec. 19.
Next meeting: The board next meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 at the La Jolla/Riford Library. The agenda will be posted at lajollaparksbeaches.org.