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Beaumont council weighs options after federal grant cut and construction pause at Stewart Park
Summary
Staff told the council Stewart Park construction has been paused since June 2025 for federal NEPA/Section 106 compliance; an initial $3.1M ORLP grant was reduced to about $2.5M, pause costs have totaled about $435,000 to date, and the council directed staff to send a letter to grant administrators and revisit a May decision on proceeding with Phase 1.
City staff updated the council on the Stewart Park project and a multi-month pause tied to federal grant post-award compliance. Doug Story said construction stopped June 4, 2025, after federal environmental review needs extended the project-wide NEPA/Section 106 process; he said the city was notified of a reduction in the ORLP award from $3.1 million to about $2.5 million because some Phase 2 items were deemed duplicative of Phase 1 work.
Story estimated the pause has cost roughly $435,000 so far and is accruing at about $50,000 per month for storage and contractor stand-by obligations. Phase 1 remains fully funded (construction contract and contingency in place) and staff estimated about six months of work to complete Phase 1 if the council directs the contractor to resume. Phase 2 had not yet been bid; historically the city planned to match grant funding and seek the federal award for Phase 2.
Council members discussed three options: continue the pause while awaiting the final federal concurrence letter; proceed with completing Phase 1 (opening usable portions of the park) and defer Phase 2; or proceed with both phases if the grant paperwork clears. Council directed staff to draft a letter summarizing costs and requesting a timeline/status update from the Office of Historical Preservation and National Park Service, to coordinate outreach during upcoming DC and Sacramento meetings, and to return with a formal recommendation at the May 5 council meeting. Several council members voiced support for finishing Phase 1 to reopen park amenities if the city can protect existing grant opportunities.
Staff reiterated they have submitted required documentation and that the outstanding action is a concurrence/approval letter from the Office of Historical Preservation in Sacramento that would allow disbursement of the federal funds.
