Beaumont Council pauses Stewart Park construction after state requests review; city estimates ~$285,000 to mothball site

Beaumont City Council voted June 3 to halt active construction on Stewart Park Phase 1 effective June 4 at the request of state grant reviewers evaluating a federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program (ORLP) application that would fund Phase 2.

City staff said the California state parks program had asked the city to stop construction after state reviewers noted earthmoving activity on the site; because the grant requires state review and subsequent National Park Service (federal) review of NEPA and Section 106 documentation, the state asked the city to pause work until both agencies complete their reviews. The state has asked to take up to 90 days to review the materials submitted May 23; the National Park Service could take an additional review period. Staff said that timeline could push a federal decision into the fall.

City staff estimated the immediate cost to secure and maintain the partially built site at roughly $285,000, citing contractor costs for temporary protections (fencing, equipment protection, exposed conduit protection and other measures) that would be necessary if construction is paused. Staff said those protective costs would not be reimbursable through the ORLP grant (the state told staff only activity that has not yet commenced would be eligible for grant reimbursement).

City Manager Elizabeth Gibbs (staff presentation) told the council she has pursued expedited review by the state and instructed the city’s federal lobbyist to request priority consideration from the National Park Service; she also reported conversations with the city’s state senator’s office to seek faster handling. Staff emphasized the state’s expressed interest in seeing the project succeed while also noting the state’s position that the park project should not proceed with ground‑disturbing work before state/federal environmental compliance is complete.

After discussion the council voted unanimously to pause construction effective June 4 and to revisit the project timeline and options in September, giving staff time to pursue state and federal coordination. The council’s motion directs staff to stop dirt work and to pursue expedited review with the state and National Park Service; it does not cancel Phase 1 work or the project overall.

The council previously approved design and awarded Phase 1 construction; the city also holds match funds for Phase 2 in the CIP (roughly $3.1 million). Staff told council that if the grant does not ultimately award, the city would still complete Phase 1, but that additional funding would be required to complete the remainder of the master‑plan work.

The pause is intended to protect the city’s eligibility for the ORLP federal grant and to ensure environmental review is completed in the sequence required by the grant program.