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Council committee tables $31,000 Ocean Beach Park market study after public concern
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Summary
After a public comment urging delay, the Economic Development Committee voted to table a $31,000 contract with Pinnacle Advisory Group for a hospitality-market study of Ocean Beach Park and directed staff to pursue an RFP and provide zoning confirmation before returning.
The New London Economic Development Committee voted to table a $31,000 contract with Pinnacle Advisory Group for a market study focused on a hotel and events component at Ocean Beach Park after public objections over scope and due diligence.
John Kirkland, a resident who addressed the committee during public comment, asked the committee to halt approval "before we approve a contract that sets a direction for the park's future," saying the Pinnacle scope "explicitly excludes any opinion or analysis regarding environmental, zoning, or land use requirements" and warning the study could prioritize private revenue over continued public access.
Director Phyllis Reyes, whose office manages procurement for the project, told the committee the administration typically seeks targeted professional services when no competitive market responds and said the administration is "not opposed to going out to RFP." Reyes said the administration would circulate any RFP to council and legal in advance and that if no responses arrive the city would return to targeted outreach.
A council member moved to table the Pinnacle item and urged an RFP and closer coordination with the mayor's administration; after discussion and a second, the committee voted to table items 3a and 3b. Council minutes show the chair declared "Motion passed." The committee said staff will work on an RFP process and return with further information, including zoning confirmation and a public-facing strategic plan for the 50-acre park.
Why it matters: The study would guide potential private hospitality investment at a historic public recreation asset; speakers raised concerns about environmental and zoning feasibility and the sequence of public planning, and committee members signaled preference for a more transparent, competitive procurement process before committing funds.
Next steps: Staff said they will draft an RFP, circulate it to council and legal, and return to the committee if bids are received; if no competitive responses appear, the administration said it would pursue targeted proposals as a plan B.
