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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsMagens Bay Authority Shares Open Design Concept for New Concession

Magens Bay Authority Shares Open Design Concept for New Concession

During its second public scoping meeting on Saturday morning, the Magens Bay Authority shared the proposed site plan layout for the beach’s future new concession, a plan that would provide more open space and beach access.

John Woods of the Jaredian Design Group told the 20 attendees that the concession will be more of an open concept layout than the existing building. It will be built between the current structure and bathhouse two in an effort to make the ocean visible upon entry to the park and to improve the layout of the facility, he said.

“The open area is one of the biggest improvements,” Woods said, adding that there will be 64 seats under large umbrellas. That way patrons won’t have to lug their food back to their beach area, Woods said.

According to Woods, the new design would allow for more seating and less congestion in the restaurant area. There will be one sidewalk on each side of the new structure, perpendicular to the beach, to allow easy access from the beach and parking area.

“There was a great desire that it appear more horizontal in its feeling than vertical,” Woods said. For that reason, the proposed roofs are moderate in slope with an overhang for more shading.

Overall, the building will be more muted in color with a “subtle green,” said Woods.

Woods said the new building will have local stone accents in the base and on columns, but would not be entirely made of stone in order to save on cost. The roof will likely be made of a composite material that looks like wood shingles.

Though the new structure wouldn’t be completely off the grid, Woods said the goal is to install solar panels on its roof.

The new structure will include a restaurant, bar, gift shop, beach rental space and an artisan vending area, Woods said. The artisan booths will be approximately eight-by-eight feet with fold-down shutters to secure them at night and to cover the vending areas during the day.

To move the project forward, the authority must next submit an environmental report to the Coastal Zone Management, which it is in the midst of preparing.

Building the new structure will require the authority to obtain a major CZM permit, since the concession is planned to be on the beach and has the potential to affect the marine environment.

In terms of timing, Woods estimates that it will take a month and half to finish the environmental document and submit it. CZM will then hold a public meeting to get community input.

Woods said he expects the permit to come through within about four months.

Katina Coulianos, chairwoman of the Authority’s board, told attendees that the board must create a master plan for Magens Bay in its entirely to satisfy the CZM permit process.

The board also would like at some point to construct a sewage treatment plant near the structure, since it will become necessary, Coulianos said. The long-term goal is to move the generators from near the park’s entrance, closer to the new structure, a move that would beautify the park’s entrance.

After the CZM permit is approved, Woods said his group would start talks with potential lessees of the restaurant in order to get a better idea of layout and equipment needs. The cost of the lease and its terms have yet to be determined, but those questions will be addressed after the CZM permit is approved, Woods said.

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