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Atlantic Beach seeks CAMA grant for Willis Avenue access; manager reports park, water and festival updates
Summary
Council authorized staff to pursue a CAMA Beach Access Grant for Willis Avenue to replace an aging wooden access and heard updates that Well No. 5 increased yield by 28%, junior lifeguard registration opens April 1, and the town park will open this weekend for limited hours.
The Town Council on March 23 directed staff to apply for a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Beach Access Grant to replace the Willis Avenue access with composite decking that would extend over the dune line.
Town Manager John O'Daniel said Willis Avenue is one of the town's oldest wooden accesses (approximately 130 linear feet) and currently stops before the dune line; the pre-application is due April 24, 2026. Council consensus was to apply and to provide matching funds if the grant is awarded. O'Daniel emphasized that CAMA informed staff that declining to apply this year would not improve the town's prospects in a future grant cycle for a larger project.
In other manager updates, O'Daniel said the town park will open this Saturday with weekend hours before moving to full-season operation, junior lifeguard registration begins April 1 at 9 a.m., town hall will be closed April 3, the Egg My Yard event is April 4 with more than 75 homes registered, a two-week promotional discounted parking pass for Carteret County residents is available at $150 (regular $200), and Well No. 5 is fully operational with a 28% yield increase after recent maintenance. The Beach Music Festival will be relocated closer to the beach on town property this year as a trial while space is available; the festival will remain on town-owned asphalt areas.
Council did not take a separate vote on these administrative updates beyond agreeing to proceed with the CAMA pre-application.
