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City staff outline shoreline revetment plan, estimated $1.2–$1.45M cost and regulatory review
Summary
City consultants and staff (Tamcor; SmithGroup review) described shoreline revetment plans to stabilize the bluff, estimated construction at $1.2–$1.3 million plus about $150,000 for engineering and permitting, and said final approval will be by the Wisconsin DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
City staff and consultants briefed the Executive Committee on shoreline stabilization that is part of the Shute Park proposal. The work described is a revetment (rock slope, embankment and access road) intended to arrest progressive bluff erosion documented in January 2020 and to provide long‑term resiliency for the property.
Commissioner Rooney said Tamcor prepared the plan and that the city retained SmithGroup to peer-review the storm analysis and structural approach; SmithGroup found the engineering "sound" and recommended the plan proceed to regulatory permitting. Staff said the revetment toes will sit well above the statutory ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) for Lake Michigan and that a beach area would remain between the revetment and the shoreline defined by the current lake level.
Estimated construction costs for the revetment and associated access road ranged from $1.2 million to $1.3 million, with engineering and permitting costs estimated at about $150,000. Staff suggested the revetment should be inspected after major storm events, particularly if lake levels exceed about 581 feet above sea level; the useful service life was estimated at 50–100 years depending on wave conditions.
Rooney and staff noted that FEMA previously denied funding for repairs after earlier storm damage and that final approvals for shoreline work rest with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Council members asked about long-term maintenance, inspection triggers and whether city capital funds would be needed if the private developer does not complete the work.
