Oceanside sand project sees tweaks as firms gear up for stretch run

Three firms are competing to win the city’s coastal resilience competition to restore the southern beaches

Hundreds of Oceanside residents participated in a public workshop on Tuesday at the Oceanside Museum of Art regarding the city’s coastal resilience program. Three design firms are competing for the project. Steve Puterski photo

OCEANSIDE — The second round of presentations for the city’s coastal resilience program saw more than 250 residents attend a public workshop as the competition ramps up.

Residents were divided into four groups and given about 20 minutes in front of the three firms — Deltares/MVRDV, International Coastal Management and Scape — along with the city’s consultant on Tuesday at the Oceanside Museum of Art.

Each firm gave short, yet detailed presentations, and then took questions from residents about each of their proposals. The goal is to retain and provide a resilient solution for Oceanside’s southern coastline.

The firms incorporated feedback from residents after the Aug. 29 workshop and online forms from RE:BEACH, the city’s program website. The focus areas, meanwhile, include Tyson Street Park, Wisconsin Avenue and Buccaneer Beach. As for cost, the firms will address estimates during the Dec. 13 meeting.

Also, a 10-person jury was selected, with five advisors. After Dec. 13, they will make a recommendation to the City Council, which is expected to approve a winner in January 2024.