Resilient Mystic Final Presentation

Adaptation Strategies for Downtown Mystic

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

PROJECT TEAM INTRODUCTIONS CIRCA    

John Truscinski – CIRCA Project Lead Nicole Govert – CIRCA Community Resilience Planner Mary Buchanan – CIRCA Community Resilience Planner Yaprak Onat – Modeling support

Beth Kirmmse, RLA, WEDG

Erik Mas, PE

Project Manager

Project Principal

Andy Bohne, RLA

Arnold Robinson, AICP

Sara Morrison, MLA

Lara Sup, PE

Town of Stonington    

Danielle Chesebrough – First Selectperson Deborah Downie – Selectperson Clifton Iler – Town Planner Molly Evak – Town Grant Administrator

Citizen + Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) Consultant Team – Fuss & O’Neill        

Erik Mas Beth Kirmmse Sara Morrison Andrew Bohne Lara Sup Arnold Robinson Peyton Debowsky Ian Concannon

Design Lead

Climate Adaptation Design

Ian Concannon

Historical Preservation Specialist

Water Resources Engineering

Peyton Debowsky

Environmental Planning

GIS Analysis + Planning

Michael Frederick

Greg Wilson

Climate Adaptation Design

Climate Adaptation Design

WORKSHOP SUMMARY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY

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WORKSHOP KICKOFF (VIRTUAL) 3PM – 4PM MICROSOFT TEAMS LINK AVAILABLE ON THE RESILIENT MYSTIC WEBSITE: https://shorturl.at/KIeO0

WORKSHOP KICKOFF AND WALKSHOP 10AM – 12PM JAMES T. CARLTON SCIENCE CENTER CLASSROOM AT WILLIAMS-MYSTIC 50 GREENMANVILLE AVE

PROJECT VISIONING 6PM – 8PM ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CENTER 32 E MAIN ST

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY

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PROJECT OPEN HOUSE 4PM – 6PM JAMES T. CARLTON SCIENCE CENTER CLASSROOM AT WILLIAMSMYSTIC 50 GREENMANVILLE AVE.

FINAL WORKSHOP PRESENTATION 5:30PM – 7PM B.F. HOXIE FIRE STATION 34 BROADWAY AVE.

February 27, 2025 |

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PROJECT PROCESS

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Address critical transportation and resilience corridors Address shoreline/waterfront challenges: flood risk reduction, historic preservation, support tourism Reduce the impacts of extreme heat Integrate nature-based solutions + green stormwater infrastructure to realize multiple benefits

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Understand and communicate relative risks Engage the community to create the vision Develop alternatives based on risk mitigation and cost Position projects for implementation using identified state and federal funding

February 27, 2025 |

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February 27, 2025 |

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RELATED PROJECTS CIRCA: Resilient Mystic project contributes to a growing body of work studying climate adaptation in the surrounding area!

Past and present studies and reports reviewed by the project team include:  Vulnerability Assessments  Hazard Mitigation Plans  Comprehensive Plans

LISFF: Watershed Resilience Plan 2024-26 (if awarded)

Lantern Hill Road Study

Haley’s Brook Watershed Study

Bindloss Brook Watershed Resilience Study (LISFF Pending)

Sea Grant Planning Track 1: Watershed Climate Vulnerability Assessment 202425

CIRCA: Resilient MysticStonington 2024-25

LISFF: Resilient MysticGroton (2023-24)

Boathouse Park Living Shoreline (LISFF Pending)

February 27, 2025 |

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PROJECT BOUNDARY  Boundary follows a natural floodplain on the Stonington side of Downtown Mystic, surrounded by tidal waters • Due to topography and orientation, the Stonington side is more flood-prone than the Groton side  Many critical facilities in the project area along with regional transportation infrastructure and historic + cultural resources

WORKSHOPS AND FOCUS GROUPS

WORKSHOPS AND FOCUS GROUPS

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP AND FOCUS GROUP MEETING

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Listened to your suggestions

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Met with community-based focus groups and members of community resources Town Selectpeople Senator Heather Somers Representative Aundré Bumgardner Religious Group Leaders Leaders of the Town Departments and Boards Water Pollution Control Authority Public Safety Climate Change Task Force Mystic Seaport Mystic Aquarium Flood Erosion Control Climate Change Board Community Technical Advisory Committee Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center Business Owners Tribal Representatives Youth Climate Summit

February 27, 2025 |

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WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MYSTIC?

February 27, 2025 |

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WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN MYSTIC?

February 27, 2025 |

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VISUAL PREFERENCE BOARDS

MYSTIC

COASTAL FLOOD CONCEPTS

SEA LEVEL RISE & TIDAL FLOODING (Chronic/Nuisance Flooding)

STORM SURGE FLOODING (Periodic Flooding)

This project used modeled coastal flood data provided by CIRCA to evaluate where and under what conditions flood vulnerability is highest in Downtown Mystic

PRECIPITATION AND DRAINAGE FLOODING

HOW LIKELY IS FLOODING? The 10% annual exceedance probability (AEP) flood is a flood event that has a 10% probability of being equaled or exceeded each year.

The 1% annual exceedance probability (AEP) flood is a flood event that has a 1% probability of being equaled or exceeded each year.

February 27, 2025 |

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MODELED PRESENT DAY FLOODING

Flood Depths: Present Day 10% AEP Flood

Flood Depths: Present Day 1% AEP Flood February 27, 2025 |

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MODELED FUTURE FLOODING

Flood Depths: 10% AEP Flood with 20” Sea Level Rise

Flood Depths: 1% AEP Flood with 20” Sea Level Rise

February 27, 2025 |

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MODELED FUTURE FLOODING

Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) with 1 m (3.3 ft.) of Sea Level Rise in 2100.

This represents the upper bound (95% confidence interval) of the likely range of sea level rise in 2100 for the Long Island Sound.

February 27, 2025 |

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 Downtown Mystic is heavily urbanized, with over half of the project area covered in concrete or asphalt  Heat waves can cause health issues and compound the hazards of coastal flooding  Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and duration of heat waves

February 27, 2025 |

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MYSTIC

HISTORIC SHORELINE CHANGE

 Human intervention has also shaped Downtown Mystic’s current and future flood vulnerability, with access to the water critical to Mystic’s identity and economic prosperity  Shoreline armoring and coastal fill have been used to expand the developable area and reduce erosion  Historic reinvention of the community to adapt to changing risks and land use

 Hundreds of buildings could be affected by coastal flooding in the future with sea level rise, bringing direct and indirect impacts such as residential displacement, business closures, or lost access to critical facilities

February 27, 2025 |

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TRANSPORTATION  Coastal flooding in Downtown Mystic is expected to bring widespread impacts to local and state roads, with automobile travel not advised at depths greater than 6”  Flooding along Routes 1 and 27 would require advanced evacuation notice

1

27

 Impacts to the train station, tracks, and related equipment

1

February 27, 2025 Current and Future Conditions Analysis | |30 30

MYSTIC

MASTER PLAN

February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

RESILIENCE CORRIDOR ADAPTATIONS 5

1

2 4 3

1 2 3 4 5

OFFSTREET SHARED USE PATH ROAD ELEVATION ABOVE FUTURE 1% AEP FLOOD Note: Elevations range between 1 and 6 feet depending on location EXISTING ROAD ELEVATION GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING ELEVATIONS TO TIE INTO RAISED ROADS

February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

SECONDARY ROAD ADAPTATIONS 5 1

2

3 4

1 2 3 4 5

SHADE TREE PLANTINGS ELEVATION ABOVE FUTURE 1% AEP STORM 1- OR 2-WAY TRAFFIC GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESIDENTIAL ELEVATION STRUCTURES TO TIE INTO RAISED ROADS

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MYSTIC

MASTER PLAN

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MYSTIC

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM RESILIENCE HUB

1

3

2

1

RESILIENT CORRIDOR Strategic elevations of key evacuation routes

2

CANDIDATE RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES FOR ELEVATION, ACQUISITION OR RELOCATION

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MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM SURFACE PARKING ADAPTATION OPTION

MYSTIC

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM SURFACE PARKING RESILIENCE CONCEPT

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4

1

ROUTE 27 ELEVATION

2

EXPANDED SALT MARSH AREA

3

PROPOSED PARKING DECK Floodable bottom floor with community resilience hub flex space / Parking deck roof capped with resilient solar microgrid feed

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SHADE TREES

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POSSIBLE MIDSLOPE CONNECTION TO CARLTON SCIENCE CENTER AT WILLIAMS-MYSTIC & MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM

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SOUTH ENTRANCE TO MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM

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BAY STREET PEDESTRIAN/HOMEOWNER ACCESS

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ELEVATED BOARDWALK / LIVING LABORATORY

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AT-GRADE NATURE TRAIL

6

3

2

4

9 7

1

8

5

MYSTIC

MASTER PLAN

February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

HOLMES STREET ENLARGEMENT

MYSTIC

HOLMES STREET MULTIUSE PROMENADE EXTENSION

1

4 3 2

1

MULTI-USE PATH RAISED ABOVE FUTURE 1% AEP FLOOD DEPTH

2

HABITAT ENHANCEMENTS

3

LIVING SHORELINES

4

EXISTING ELEVATION OF HOLMES STREET February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

MASTER PLAN

February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

COTTRELL STREET ENLARGEMENT

February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

COTTRELL STREET RESILIENCE CONCEPT 9

3

5

1

7

4 6 5 8

2 1

EXISTING PUBLIC RESTROOMS

2

MULTI-MODAL TRAIL

3

EXISTING WATERFRONT PROMENADE

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REALIGNED PROMENADE

5

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

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WATER ACCESS

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EXPLORATION ZONE

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PROMENADE EXTENSION TO MARINA

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RESILIENT ROUTE 1 CORRIDOR

MYSTIC

COTTRELL STREETSCAPE RESILIENCE CONCEPT

8 6 8 5 1 2

3

7

4

1

DRAWBRIDGE/BOAT STAGING AREA Note: Dinghy Dock + Boat Tie-Ons Remain

2

HISTORIC REMNANT PILINGS Ecologically Enhanced Breakwaters

3

INTERACTIVE TIDEPOOL

4

FLOODABLE LIVING LAB TERRACES

5

MULTIMODAL WATERFRONT PROMENADE

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

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COTTRELL ST. FLEXIBLE EVENT CORRIDOR

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE + ONSTREET PARKING February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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MYSTIC

MASTER PLAN

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MYSTIC

TRANSPORTATION HUB

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TRANSPORTATION HUB

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4

9 1

11

8

4

6 5

1

3 7 2

1

ROUTE 1 RESILIENT CORRIDOR

2

EXISTING TRAIN STATION / POTENTIAL TO RELOCATE TRAIN STATION TO EAST

3

POTENTIAL PARKING STRUCTURE

4

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

5

MULTIMODAL TRAIL CONNECTION TO MARINA PROMENADE

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INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

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SURFACE PARKING LOT RECONFIGURATION

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INFILL REDEVELOPMENT Currently vacant parcels

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ADAPTIVE REDEVELOPMENT / MIXED USE Existing CVS Location

10

FIRE HOUSE RELOCATION, ELEVATION

11

POTENTIAL PUBLIC PARKING Relocate Apple Rehab to Higher Elevation

MYSTIC

PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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PROJECT AREA VISUALIZATIONS

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MASTER PLAN

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MYSTIC

MURPHY’S POINT ENLARGEMENT

5

3

1

RESILIENT CORRIDOR(S)

2

VOLUNTARY BUYOUT/ACQUISITION CANDIDATE Acme Wire Co.

3

RELOCATION CANDIDATE LOCATION Stonington Wastewater Treatment Plant – potential future pump station location

4

AMTRAK RAILROAD LINE

5

ELEVATION, ACQUISITION OR RELOCATION

4

1

2

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MYSTIC

BROADWAY AVENUE EXTENSION

1

3

2

1

SALT MARSH

2

RAISE ROAD OUT OF THE FLOODPLAIN

3

LANDSCAPE BUFFERS

3

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HISTORIC RESOURCES PLANNING – THE PAST

• Downtown Mystic’s National Register listings – 1979 • Community has NOT wanted Historic District Zoning • Established the Architectural Review Standards Board • CT SHPO and NPS with Federal $/permits

HISTORIC RESOURCES PLANNING – THE FUTURE

• Manage change rather than fighting it • Adaptation as the norm, not exception • Encourage small scale adaptation of individual historic buildings over time: • Avoid catastrophic loss in the future.

• Required at all levels: • Stonington • CT State environmental permitting • CT State Historic Preservation Office • National Park Service

HISTORIC RESOURCE ADAPTATION HISTORY

• New England coastal communities have tradition of changing: • Elevating buildings • Moving buildings • (Mystic Seaport Museum is largely moved structures) • Elevating roadways

HISTORIC RESOURCES ADAPTATION – BEST PRACTICES • Charleston, SC

HISTORIC RESOURCES ADAPTATION – BEST PRACTICES • Annapolis, MD

HISTORIC RESOURCES ADAPTATION – BEST PRACTICES • Newport, RI

HISTORIC RESOURCES ADAPTATION – BEST PRACTICES • Nantucket, MA

FLOOD ADAPTATION FOR BUILDINGS

HISTORIC RESOURCES – DISASTER PLANNING AND RECOVERY

• Document historic buildings • Upgrade Zoning and Planning regulations and processes to support historic rehabilitation • Train municipal officials in responding to postdisaster conditions for historic buildings • Pre-identify support resources

ZONING AND LAND USE PLANNING

• Recommend “Village District” in Zoning Revision • Density to maintain housing and economic vitality • Allowing/expanding mixed-use • Form-based code as tool for better outcomes • New development in keeping with historic scale and character • Adaptation of historic structures guided

RESILIENT CHURCHES AND FAITH COMMUNITIES • At the heart of project area • Flooding is a major concern • Sanctuaries and support spaces/systems • Services to community

RESILIENT CHURCHES AND FAITH COMMUNITIES

MYSTIC

IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP RECOMMENDATIONS

ORGANIZATIONS

730 James Street Parking Lot & Urban Cooling Center $17,500,000

City of New Haven, Private Property Owner, Fair Haven CMT

ACTIONS

NEAR TERM

MID TERM

LONG TERM

Engage property owner to assess interest in implementing the resilience concept Conduct detailed planning & refine concept Secure funding Design, permitting, and construction

Mill River Trail, Outfall Improvements, Floodable Park and Gateway Property $7,600,000

City of New Haven, Mill River Trail & Watershed Association, Private Property Owner, Fair Haven CMT

Engage property owner (451 Grand Ave) to assess interest in voluntary acquisition & relocation Conduct detailed planning & refine concept Secure funding Acquisition, relocation, remediation Design, permitting, and construction

John W. Murphy Drive Elevation and Flood Barrier $25,000,000

City of New Haven, Fair Haven CMT

Grand Avenue Road and Bridge Elevation $19,900,000

City of New Haven, CTDOT, Fair Haven CMT

Conduct detailed planning & refine concept

Cooling/Resilience Corridors $6,000,000

City of New Haven, CTDOT (CT transit), Fair Haven CMT

Secure funding

Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration (FAME) School Parking Lot Cooling Improvements $2,600,000

City of New Haven, New Haven Public Schools, Fair Haven CMT

Conduct detailed planning & refine concept

Conduct detailed planning & refine concept Secure funding Design, permitting, and construction

Secure funding Design, permitting, and construction

Design, permitting, and construction

Secure funding Design, permitting, and construction

February 2025 Community Design Workshops |

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PROJECT TIMELINE We are here!

2024 March April May

June

July

Aug

2025 Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb March

April

May

Community Engagement Coastal Flood Modeling

UPCOMING EVENTS  CTAC Meeting – APRIL  FINAL PUBLIC MEETING - MAY

Current and Future Conditions Analysis

Workshop

Resilience Plan & Toolkit

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

THANK YOU! https://shorturl.at/KIeO0

LET US KNOW ON THE PROJECT WEBSITE!