Atlantic Beach council reviews Circle boardwalk plans, approves limited bathhouse repairs while pausing larger build

Atlantic Beach Town Council reviewed long-standing designs for the Circle boardwalk and agreed March 7 to pursue targeted bathhouse repairs while pausing larger construction until they can secure grant funding.

Town Manager John O'Daniel told the council staff had reviewed the 100% schematic design prepared by Kutonotuk and a July 2022 topographic survey from The Cullipher Group. He reported the town has paid $80,000 to Kutonotuk via Oakley Collier Architects against an original purchase order of $174,307 and still owes The Cullipher Group $7,892 for CAMA permit work. Council was reminded that properties acquired using CAMA and NC DEQ Water Resources Development Grant funds must be retained for public access and that any significant changes require prior approval from DEQ/DCM or DWR.

Staff reported that Carteret County Environmental Health indicated the existing LPP septic system could likely be repaired but could not support additional fixtures without a new permit; the town will add a water meter to the bathhouse to isolate septic-related usage and collect data for any future permit or engineering work. Public Services staff proposed a $22,000 set of bathhouse renovations — new plywood stall partitions ($7,000), ventilation fans ($500), new flooring ($12,000), toilets ($1,500) and urinals ($2,000) — and noted that renovations exceeding 50% of the structure's value could trigger VE flood‑zone (VE11) building-code requirements.

Council reached consensus to complete the listed repairs and to place a budget amendment on the March 25 meeting agenda to fund that work. John O'Daniel asked council to consider a smaller, approximately $500,000 phase-one plan rather than the previously projected $1,704,618 full phase-one cost (which included lot purchases but not a new bathhouse). He said staff would pursue eligible grants in 2025 and hoped for roughly $300,000 in grant funding combined with revenue from a parking program to help cover the smaller phase.

Council prioritized meeting accessibility and basic amenities — bathhouse septic work, storage for beach wheelchairs, showers, seating, lighting and limited shade — and de‑prioritized public art and misting stations. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters said he would prefer new construction over short-term fixes. Council discussed materials and maintenance tradeoffs: an upper boardwalk of Trex or wood with a lower concrete portion; concrete shade structures were favored for durability but the number would be reduced to avoid blocking views. Members agreed to avoid plantings that would require ongoing maintenance.

Fire Chief Mike Simpson said no fire or police office was needed inside the bathhouse and described current emergency access practices, noting vehicular beach transport is conducted with ATVs to vehicles waiting on Atlantic Boulevard. He also noted recurring maintenance costs for the existing showers — about $350 annually to replace valves — and supported replacing the shower design with lower‑maintenance outdoor-style fixtures (an estimated $500 total for replacement); council requested staff bring that recommendation back for approval at the March 25 meeting.

Staff reported the brick paver alley walkways were too uneven to repair before the season and that stamped concrete replacement would be considered later. Council directed staff to notify Kutonotuk and The Cullipher Group that large-scale boardwalk construction is on hold pending grant funding and to apply for any eligible grants in 2025.

Procedural votes at the session included approval of the meeting agenda (motion by Councilmember Renea Baker; second by Councilmember Joey Dean; vote 4-0) and a unanimous (4-0) motion to excuse Councilmember Joseph Starling, who attended via Zoom but was ill. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.; the minutes record that they were later approved at the April 22, 2024 meeting.