Santa Barbara County is taking the first step to repair two stairways accessing the beach in Isla Vista.
The Board of Supervisors is set to approve a contract on Tuesday to reconstruct and repair two of Isla Vista’s five beach access points that were damaged during winter storms.
The stairway at the end of Camino Del Sur is still open for now, but it was damaged earlier this year in storms. Meanwhile, the Escondido Passageway stairway, located on Del Playa Drive just east of Sea Lookout Park, is blocked off because of damage from January 2023 storms, according to the county staff report.
Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said residents and beachgoers have shared how not being able to access the stairs has made it more difficult to enjoy the beach and ocean.
“Beach access is an important part of Isla Vista,” Capps said. “It’s such a beautiful area, such a beautiful coastline, and something that the community relies on.”
If the contract is approved, the project will enter the design phase and civil engineers will determine whether the stairways need to be replaced or whether they can be repaired.
“I’m glad that the county is on it and taking it seriously and finding these funds and taking these steps to remedy it, and make sure that people can again enjoy the beach as easily as possible,” Capps said.
Repairing the Escondido Passageway is estimated to cost $600,000 and is expected to be fully reimbursed under the county’s insurance policy. The Camino Del Sur stairs, however, are expected to cost $1.2 million.
Funding for the design of the project is coming from Community Services park operational funds, according to the staff report.
The beach access point at Camino Pescadero Park also has been closed for more than a year as the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District works to finalize storm damage repairs and add a new outdoor shower.
Kimberly Kiefer, general manager for IVRPD, said they support the county addressing the other access points.
“The beach access points are crucial in providing both Isla Vistans and the greater Santa Barbara County community access to some of our most pristine and wild beaches we have on our coastlines,” Kiefer said.
The stairways provide access to the beach 30 to 50 feet below Del Playa Drive and the bluffs. The new stairways will be constructed using a mixture of marine grade timber, stainless steel, and vertical concrete supports and landings, according to the staff report.
County supervisors are set to approve the construction contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. during Tuesday’s hearing as part of the board’s administrative agenda.
If approved, designs for the repaired stairways would go to the Board of Supervisors for approval in the spring before construction can begin.