CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
1/12/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Accept Update Report on Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept Update Report on Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project.
STAFF CONTACT:
Roland Yip, Deputy Director of Public Works, City Engineer (650) 738-3771
[email protected]
Melissa Tigbao, Director of Public Works
(650) 501-6016
[email protected]
BACKGROUND:
The Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project (BBIRP) is a multi-phase City-led project that aims to create a multi-benefit solution for the Beach Boulevard corridor in historic West Sharp Park. The Beach Boulevard Seawall and Promenade span from just north of Paloma Drive to the southern terminus near Clarendon Drive and the Sharp Park levee. Since the construction of the seawalls, there have been numerous failures of the north wall. During high tides and big swells, wave action overtops the seawall sending water and sand clear across Beach Boulevard, affecting public safety by causing road closures, localized flooding, and property damage.
On May 26, 2020, the City Council approved a Consultant Services agreement with GHD, Inc. for BBIRP Phase 1. Phase 1 was the planning and feasibility effort with three main tasks; reviewing the existing conditions; performing a multi-hazard risk assessment; and developing an alternative design analysis. The Phase 1 completed with the selection of a preferred alternative which consists of a hybrid seawall incorporating a rock scour apron and beach nourishment.
On November 28, 2021, the City Council approved a Consultant Services agreement with GHD, Inc. for BBIRP Phase 2A. Phase 2A consisted of four major work components:
• Project Management and Coordination: Ongoing consultant-city communication, scheduling updates, and financial tracking
• Preliminary Design Development: Preliminary Basis of Design (BOD) report, seawall concept refinement, site-specific hazard, wave and water-level data collection, rock scour and beach nourishment design, promenade layout, preliminary plans and cost estimates, constructability review, and support for independent design review and early funding strategy.
• Environmental Services: Initiating first steps of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which includes the development of a Pacifica City Council 2
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project description, issuance of the Notice of Preparation (NOP), and facilitating a public scoping meeting.
• Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Providing initial outreach and coordination with residents and key stakeholders.
DISCUSSION:
Phase 2A of the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project (BBIRP) has been successfully completed with the delivery of the Preliminary BOD Report, 35% Design Drawings, and 35% Cost Estimate. The Phase 2A Major Deliverables can be viewed on the City's website at: <https://www.cityofpacifica.org/departments/public-works/engineering/capital-improvementprojects/beach-boulevard-infrastructure-resiliency-project> During Phase 2A the following engagement activities were conducted:
• 3 Community Meetings
• 1 Public Survey
• 3 pop-up style workshops (Fog Fest, Pacifica Municipal Pier, Coastside Farmer’s Market)
• 3 Coastal Commission Meetings
• 1 CEQA scoping meeting
• Social Media Outreach (Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter, Connect with Pacifica Emails) • 4 ad-hoc committee meetings
The BOD Report documents the preliminary engineering analyses and design of the hybrid coastal protection system which was identified as the preferred alternative for the BBIRP in Phase 1. The report includes a description of the existing conditions, codes and standards applied, materials, and project design criteria for each project element. The hybrid coastal protection system consists of a deep foundation seawall, rock scour apron, and beach nourishment.
• Deep Foundation Seawall - A deep foundation seawall is the primary structural solution designed to mitigate coastal erosion and flooding hazards, while also resisting seismic loading during a large earthquake. A key consideration of wall type selection was the need for a deep foundation to prevent scour and undermining, which is a persistent problem with the existing reinforced earth retaining wall. • Rock Scour Apron - This design element consists of multiple layers of large (8-10 ton) armor stone, placed over an underlayer and geotextile fabric. The purpose of the rock scur apron is to mitigate the potential for scour in front of the seawall due to long-term erosion in combination with extreme storm events. • Beach Nourishment - This design element consists of natural materials (sand & cobble) placed over the rock scour apron to provide a nature-based solution that dissipates wave energy by mimicking the natural beach profile adjustments that occur seasonally and during extreme events. This element leverages innovation from the successful implementation of other living shoreline (nature-based) projects on California’s open coast.
Key Design Highlights from Phase 2A:
Seawall Design:
The proposed seawall will be constructed using 30-inch diameter steel pipe piles filled with Pacifica City Council 3
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reinforced concrete. The crest elevation is set at 30 feet NAVD88 along most of the North Wall, with localized increases to 32 feet to match existing grade at Carmel Avenue. This elevation was selected to limit wave overtopping to 0.5-1.0 cfs/ft during the design event, a tolerable rate based on observed impacts during the January 2016 and January 2023 storm events.
Rock Scour Apron:
Designed with 8-10 ton armor stone, the apron will be approximately 50 feet wide and front the seawall to prevent undermining due to long-term scour and storm-induced erosion.
Beach Nourishment:
An initial placement of 500,000 cubic yards of coarse sand is proposed to create a 200-footwide beach berm. Modeling indicates that this nourishment could reduce wave overtopping and extend the life of the seawall. However, the beach is not assumed to persist indefinitely and will erode within every 5-10 years of placement. Subsequent nourishments would be required to maintain a sandy beach along the project reach but are not necessary to achieve the erosion and flood protection objectives of the project.
Cobble Berm and Perched Dunes (South Wall):
A realigned promenade and cobble berm system is proposed for the southern segment. The berm will be constructed with 12-18 inch cobble and topped with sand dunes, providing both flood protection and ecological benefits. Approximately 26,000 cubic yards of cobble will be required for this feature.
Wave and Sea Level Rise Analysis:
The design accounts for 2 feet of sea level rise, consistent with the 2024 California Ocean Protection Council guidance and projections for likely sea level rise over the project design life.
The system is designed to withstand a 60-year return period storm event, such as the January 5, 2023 storm, which produced 30-foot offshore waves, 7.8 feet NAVD water levels, and 1.5-2 feet of storm surge.
Geotechnical Considerations:
Subsurface investigations confirmed the need for deep foundations due to variable soil conditions and potential scour depths of up to 5.5 feet NAVD88 along the North Wall.
Amenities and features:
The project includes a variety of amenities aimed at enhancing public access, recreational opportunities, mobility, and shoreline connectivity. Key features include a multi-tiered plaza north of Paloma Ave that offers seating, scenic views, and a new beach access stairway. Features and amenities at the southern end will be focused around three nodes that will consist of a play area (public art & play structure), primary beach access (central to parking area) and improved connection to golf course levee trail. Pedestrian safety and circulation will be improved with an expanded promenade and separate bike lane along the southern reach. The design also incorporates a landscape buffer and drainage improvements along Beach Blvd to reduce the extent and duration of flooding.
Cost Estimate:
A 35% preliminary cost estimate for the construction was prepared by BK Cooper based on the Pacifica City Council 4
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35% Design Drawings. The estimate totaled approximately $83 million, which is similar to the construction estimate for the Hybrid A Alternative developed during the Feasibility Analysis of Project Alternatives in May 2021.
With Phase 2A now complete, the project is ready to advance into Phase 2B - Environmental Documentation. The City has invested extensive effort over multiple years on the project, beginning in 2020 with preliminary planning and feasibility work. During Phase 1, the City developed three technical reports including the Existing Conditions Report, Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment, and Alternatives Analysis Report, and conducted four public workshops to engage the community and gather input.
City staff have been actively pursuing funding opportunities for Phase 2B. The City previously applied for the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) Shoreline Erosion Control Grant for FY 2025-26, but the project was not selected for funding. While awaiting DBW’s decision on Phase 2B, the City concurrently submitted an application for Phase 2C funding under the following year’s DBW Shoreline Erosion Control Grant program and is still awaiting on grant approval. The City was previously shortlisted for a $50 million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant; however, the BRIC Program was canceled nationwide mid-last year. In early December 2025, the City submitted an application for Phase 2B under the Climate Bond Proposition 4 grant program, which operates on a rolling basis, with funding decisions made by the California State Coastal Conservancy Board every couple of months. If the current Climate Bond Proposition 4 application is unsuccessful, staff will need to return to Council with a recommendation on funding possibilities to ensure this critical project continues to move forward.
On February 10, 2025, the City Council approved a Model Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to begin feasibility studies under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) 103 and 204. As part of the CAP 204, the USACE is conducting a feasibility study to assess the beneficial use of dredged material for sand nourishment and other shoreline improvements along Beach Boulevard between Paloma Avenue and Clarendon Road. The feasibility study is expected to take approximately 1 to 2.5 years to complete. If deemed feasible, CAP 204 could provide up to $15 million in federal funding for construction activities related to the sand nourishment or other shoreline improvements. This funding could potentially reduce the amount of improvements needed to implement the BBIRP.
There is an urgent need to advance the project to the next phase due to the emergency repairs at the existing seawall. Since 2016, the City has experienced twelve seawall breaches requiring emergency repairs, at a total cost exceeding $7 million. The frequency of these failures has increased in recent years, with six of the twelve breaches occurring since 2022. The City is starting to deal with these emergency repairs annually, and most concerning is that three breaches have occurred this past winter. A comprehensive, long-term solution is urgently needed to ensure shoreline resilience and reduce escalating repair costs.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
• Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities: The completion of Phase 2A is advancing the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project towards construction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this update.
Pacifica City Council 5
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ORIGINATED BY:
Public Works
ATTACHMENT LIST: