City seeks permits for Phillips Park pier and living‑shoreline work, plans 2.5 acres of wetland restoration

City stormwater staff presented a multi‑year plan to remove dilapidated seawall sections at Phillips Park, construct a boardwalk with a parallel fishing pier and install living shoreline measures to stabilize shorelines and support habitat.

Pat said the final seawall section will be removed using NOAH funds and that the project will include a hog‑slat top on the boardwalk, weighted substructure and habitat discs that encourage oysters and mussels to colonize. "They are filtering the water," Pat said of bivalves, explaining the ecological benefits. She said permitting is underway and the team hopes to put the Northeast Creek restoration out for bid and start construction in early 2027 if permit questions are addressed.

The proposal also includes shoreline regrading to a 3:1 slope, replacement plantings (cypress, red cedar) and living shoreline installations to slow erosion and provide nursery habitat for fish.