City Hires Design Firm to Coach Boardwalk Rebuilding
City manager announces 10-step process to restore seaside walkway.
The demolition of the Long Beach boardwalk continued on Tuesday, as seen from the top of the Allegria Hotel at National Boulevard. (Credit: Karl Tepfer)
Liro Engineers will coach the City of Long Beach through the boardwalk reconstruction process, City Manager Jack Schnirman announced before the City Council voted to approve a contract with the Syosset-based engineering design firm Tuesday.
The two-mile seaside boardwalk was destroyed beyond repair during Hurricane Sandy in October, and in the fourth of 10 steps to rebuild the structure the city will pay Liro Engineers $565,307 to provide everything from design options to inspection services. The resolution for the contract also calls for public input on rebuilding, a feature that a few residents and officials championed at the council meeting at City Hall.
“People are starving for information and starving to be heard,” said Denis Kelly, a former councilman, who suggested that city officials hold public forums on boardwalk reconstruction as soon as possible.
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Other residents, such as Ray Elmer, who was recently replaced on the Long Beach Zoning Board of Appeals, insisted that a new boardwalk is inseparable from other aspects of post-Sandy rebuilding in Long Beach, including beach restoration and redevelopment of the bay front.
“We have one chance to build this right again,” Elmer said.
But both Council President Scott Mandel and Jim LaCarrubba, the city’s commissioner of public works, were emphatic that Tuesday’s resolution was strictly about retaining an engineer consultant for the boardwalk, and that boardwalk restoration is separate from other mitigation projects the city is working on.
“This resolution is to select a firm to assist the city with the design options, the ultimate selection of the design, and to help us with specifications to reconstruct the boardwalk,” LaCarrubba said. “It has nothing to do with the Army Corps [of Engineers] project. It has nothing to do with the restoration or replenishment of sand on the beach. It is specific to the boardwalk.”
The council voted 4-0 on the city’s contract with Liro Engineers, with Councilman Michael Fagen abstaining. Fagen expressed concerns about specific language in the resolution, namely the section that stated the firm “will be responsible for the researching and presenting of the best practice options for the design and materials of the boardwalk, as well as overseeing the eventual construction process …”
When Mandel maintained that the resolution was solely about selecting a firm to assist the city with rebuilding the boardwalk, Fagen read that section of the resolution and sought an explanation about them. The councilman said he abstained from voting because his questions about that section went unanswered.
Echoing Fagen, resident Eileen Hession said that she interpreted the resolution in the same way that the councilman did. “The way this reads, it looks like they’re involved in every aspect of the boardwalk,” said Hession, who along with Fagen called for public hearings.
LiRo Engineers was one of five firms that bid on the consulting contract and was deemed the “most qualified” to perform the work in Long Beach, according to the resolution. The firm has worked on such projects at the rebuilding of post-9/11 lower Manhattan and the Roosevelt Island Tramway, city officials said.
The new boardwalk is expected to cost about $25 million and city officials have said that they want to rebuild it by summer. Schnirman reported Tuesday that the demolition of the boardwalk is about half completed, and he announced a 10-step process to rebuild the boardwalk, from assessment of damages, to presenting the Federal Emergency Management Agency with a plan, to opening the finished structure. Schnirman said the 10-step plan will be posted on the city’s website.
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Eddie May 17, 2013 at 09:12 pm
Don't hold your breath. Leonard's right. Don't count on the government for anything.
Leonard Bauman May 17, 2013 at 09:11 pm
No one in Long Beach will be offered a buyout, sell to a developer or fix it up.
Eddie May 17, 2013 at 10:19 am
Why can't Staples pay for an ad on Patch instead of posting this stuff here?
Eddie May 17, 2013 at 09:14 pm
Then think twice before you vote Democrat, Crystal. The blood will be on YOUR hands if you do.
Crystal G Piatnick May 17, 2013 at 12:18 pm
There is no question about it. Its not a matter of " right to choose" Its a matter of is…Read More abortion murder...I was so upset with the Orient and what they do to cats and dogs... Look what America does to our children...Cuomo will have their blood on his hands....I am not for abortion at all. But aborting the fetus in the third trimester has to be stopped.. Its murder.. These infants r about to be born..
Jonathan Kaplan May 17, 2013 at 10:19 am
I can get you a closet in the West End for only $2000 a month, let me know if you're interested
paul.d.spellman May 17, 2013 at 10:12 am
CMOS, The surfers from out of town come here all year long and add to the economy 12 months a year,…Read More what additional benefit do those people pushing shopping carts full of kid's toys add? Last summer the surfers were give only 1 in 3 beaches and that was base on increased demand, and this year more surfers are expected so it makes sense that more beach be set aside for them, or some kids are going to get hurt and then the city will need to pay for that.
Castles Made of Sand May 17, 2013 at 09:30 am
Paul, after you give us numbers on the "driving" economics of surfers, please tell us how…Read More many surfers come the beach in the summer. Do you know? Or are you just guessing? Your argument that surf shops continue to exist as a result of surfers shopping there is darn near brilliant. I heard a report that supermarkets in town are being solely supported by hungry people. I can't attest to that though. I do know that Empire Kayak is secretly kept in business by Whirling Dirvishes from Instanbul, and not kayakers. But I digress.
paul.d.spellman May 17, 2013 at 07:56 am
Earthling, Do you have any idea how many surfers come and use our beaches in the summer? How much…Read More they pump into our local economy? Compare those numbers to economic impact of the minority who are opposed to expanded surf beaches and you will see the city is correct in expanding the amount of surf beaches and not decreasing it. And I am not talking just about local surfers but also those that come from out of town and surf and spend, and then tell friends about here and so on.
Crystal G Piatnick May 16, 2013 at 07:46 pm
I think u r right Joseph. Its really disappointing..:( What the hec r they doing...????? Well they…Read More have 100 days to complete the boardwalk in the middle section. contract started March 12..or the 15th...60 days already and they did nothing...They have 40 more days to complete it. I really hope the town holds them to the contract.. I really do.
Elliot Zuckerman May 17, 2013 at 05:48 am
Paul as a life long resident, the first surfing school in LB and home owners hit hard by Sandy I…Read More thought it was only right to reduce our fee for summer camp.We have had many families here in the same position and just could not afford camp this summer and asked if we can help with local families so we did just that , we will fill up fast so please sign up soon as we do limit our camps to avoid any over crowding.
We also have posted our dates for the ONLY 501c3 special needs surfing foundation in Long Beach, please check out surfersway .org for more info.Its free and open to all special needs kids.
Elliot
paul.d.spellman May 16, 2013 at 07:51 am
Now if we could only get the City to reduce the outrageous fees forced upon the surf schools one can…Read More only imagine how low these prices would go. Does anyone actually know where the fees the schools pay go to?
john peri Jr May 16, 2013 at 11:36 am
Women don't have the right to commit suicide, to become a dope addict, or to sell their body parts.…Read More No one really knows how many post birth murders are being committed. Requiring a camera in abortion rooms would stop post birth murders.
Trying to Make Sense May 16, 2013 at 09:46 am
Eddie, you mislead a lot and lie occasionally. "Gosnell's actions wouldn't be criminal in a…Read More more enlightened state like New York, would they? " Yes, they would be. And you know it. In fact, if the reproductive rights of women were properly respected, pond scum like Gosnell would not take advantage of women whose options are limited and find it difficult to obtain the quality prenatal care and a safe abortion if the need one. I respect your right to be against late term abortion and I am not cheering them on but reproductive rights, control over one's body ought to be protected. And doing so would not only eliminate the Gosnells of the world, but would allow for a full range of services that decrease the likihood that women would face situations that bring them to abortion mills like his.
john peri Jr May 15, 2013 at 01:55 pm
"President Obama’s position on infants who survive abortion is exactly the kind of…Read More position that allows the horrors committed by Kermit Gosnell."
Source:http://www.lifenews.com/2013/04/21/obamas-position-on-infants-born-alive-mirrors-kermit-gosnells/
MAY May 15, 2013 at 08:43 pm
Maybe instead if bitching you should get out there and vote your people into office. It's about…Read More political connections. It could be that the diocese is helping. Tax exempt homes are wrong. Everyone should pay taxes especially when you can afford to send your kids to private school and camp that costs a lot of money however that goes for all people not any specific groups. I can think of a lot of people that got money that probably didn't need it. I know of many firsthand. Did lbc actually apply? That's what I want to know. Find that out first and then start complaining. It may look like on paper they have more money than misivta. Maybe they don't have any, or at least on paper they don't. There are a lot of variables that go into this. Just remember its the politicians who will act in your best interest and that applies to things like this. Get out there and vote.
Kevin LLewellyn May 15, 2013 at 08:09 pm
I'm pretty sure LBCS did not receive much, if any, damage. The building is set up pretty high above…Read More ground level. Maybe that's why.
Paul Carrella May 17, 2013 at 09:31 am
Its a hell of a lot of money being spent and it takes time to figure out how to rob it. Every other…Read More boardwalk in the northeast damaged by Sandy is repaired and up and running, including the shops and rides on the Jersey shore. Complete disgrace.
Tideline May 13, 2013 at 05:04 pm
If he was white, the Media would have been all over this. I am really looking forward to Obamacare.
john peri Jr May 13, 2013 at 09:21 am
This post could cause one to make a further investigation/research before making a decision.…Read More
“If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one.” (Dr. W. C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, quoted in NY Times 4/14/54)
Rachel Caruana May 13, 2013 at 08:56 am
If this info needs to be updated, why is it being posted? Please, like we don't have enough to…Read More worry about!
paul.d.spellman May 16, 2013 at 09:10 am
Fill a bucket up from the sink, be amazed and call Poland Spring.
Paul Carrella May 16, 2013 at 08:57 am
Slightly brown water in the toilest, does not appear to be coming out of the faucets, which I don't…Read More understand.
paul.d.spellman May 14, 2013 at 02:55 pm
Has the anyone investigated whether this could be related to the discharge from the Bay park Plant…Read More and the Goggin Propaganda piece about flushing hydrants is just a blatant coverup?
Eddie May 11, 2013 at 09:46 pm
But she's blessed enough, John to not have to pay taxes to the City of Long Beach.
Trying to Make Sense May 11, 2013 at 05:42 pm
Yet another good reason for people to visit Long Beach and our blessed ocean and food trucks.
Richard Horn May 16, 2013 at 08:45 am
I was wondering who this Ronald was. Thanks. I am also very happy if folks choose to live a…Read More religious lifestyle, but I don't need to be hit over the head with it. My mother in law is deeply religious, and is happy to answer any questions about her belief, but would never foist her views on anyone else. She lives her life and other people can live theirs. And at the end of the day we should all be able to get along somehow.
Charlie Cheswick May 13, 2013 at 11:23 am
Hey, where'd Bobby/Ronald go?! Took his ball and went home?
Trying to Make Sense May 11, 2013 at 08:09 am
So Mr. Cheswick writes, " I view ALL religious fanatics with the same contempt and will…Read More challenge them whenever I can. "Fanatic" being the keyword here." But thats not enough for Bob Jamison (his name for this week). He, defender of the faith that he is, decides that Mr. C must " show us a link to ONE post where you used the type of bigoted language towards Jews & Muslims that you use towards Christians. You can not because you are a Christian hating rat and a moral coward" Oddly Bob, when he is not villifying teachers or surfers and a host of others with his favorite label, POS, feels that Mr. C is a "stone cold bigot" and "Christian hating scum" while he assigns the title POS to every person or group that sees the world a bit different than he does. Methinks Jesus himself would reject your defense Bob. Your perversion of his message might lead him to conclude that you are "a Christian hating rat and a moral" empty suit.
Sea Bee May 17, 2013 at 10:39 pm
That's what they told me in December & January before I cancelled my membership
Kaitlin Coppock Felter May 15, 2013 at 03:52 pm
Thanks for the info! I would join Synergy, but I don't want to pay the initiation fee if there will…Read More be a club opening in walking distance from my apt
Trying to Make Sense May 15, 2013 at 08:32 am
Kaitlin, I was told that the LB location will "open in a few weeks" by a NYSC manager…Read More yesterday. I hope she knows what she's talking about.
Tony in Long Beach May 10, 2013 at 02:37 pm
Perhaps the city should send around inspectors and condemn LIPA poles because they are already les…Read More than ten feet from many west end homes and force LIPA to raise them like we are forced to raise our homes. LIPA got a whole bunch of money from FEMA perhaps they should use it to upgrade the poles in the west end. When will enough be enough ?
paul.d.spellman May 10, 2013 at 11:08 am
I wholeheartedly agree, LIPA should pick this cost up and add a little surcharge to each person's…Read More bill so the cost is not only to the westenders.