Council approves schematic‑design contract for Easton's Beach after debate over costs and parking impacts

The council voted to authorize schematic‑design services for phase 3 of the Easton's Beach resiliency and planning project, awarding a contract package to DBVW Architects and subconsultants for approximately $369,510 to produce schematic design documents, more precise cost estimates, environmental and shoreline engineering work, and an allowance for additional public engagement.

Director Theresa Crane said the work advances the partial dune‑transformation option the Beach Commission recommended and will produce schematic‑level drawings necessary to estimate construction impacts and permitting requirements. "This will develop what are called schematic design level documents," Crane said, describing the difference between conceptual (phase 2) and schematic (phase 3) deliverables.

Council debate focused on timing and cost. Councilor David Carlin argued the council should finalize preferred options before spending another consultant fee: "I think we should decide what we want before we spend $375,000 on yet another consulting fee, for this particular firm," he said, and asked whether prior contract work already approaches $1.2 million. Supporters said the project must move forward to avoid delays in coastal resilience work and noted funding is available from an $11.2 million 2024 general‑obligation bond for beach nourishment. Staff acknowledged parking impacts are preliminary and estimated the option could reduce roughly 800 parking spots to about 500 (an estimated loss of ~300 spaces); staff said final parking counts and revenue impacts will be refined during schematic design.

After discussion the motion to approve the phase‑3 contract passed; the vote was carried by voice with at least one recorded opposition. The council directed staff to continue robust public engagement and to return with more detailed cost breakdowns and parking‑impact analyses as schematic work proceeds.