Two communities to receive CAMA grants

RALEIGH The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has awarded nearly $600,000 to eight town governments, including two in Carteret County, for projects to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters.

The list announced Thursday by Gov. Pat McCrory includes Atlantic Beach and Morehead City.

Atlantic Beach received $66,532 to replace and construct an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -compliant walkway and dune crossover.

Morehead City was tapped for $200,000 for the construction of an open pavilion at an existing waterfront park known as Jib Plaza.

Local governments continue to show a tremendous interest in providing and improving public access to North Carolinas beaches and waters, Mr. McCrory said in a statement. I am thrilled that the state is able to help them achieve this goal.

Atlantic Beach plans to use the grant to rebuild the existing public beach access on Charlotte Avenue, extending it closer to the beach and making it ADA compliant. David Walker, town manager, said the existing wooden walkway there has steps rather than a ramp and isnt ADA compliant.

The town staff doesnt want to disrupt use of the walkway during the spring and summer seasons, so work on the access will begin after Labor Day. Another project, however, will begin this month.

Atlantic Beach had previously received a $33,630 CAMA grant Feb. 1, prior to the list announced Thursday, which it will be using to build a new boardwalk for the public water access on Money Island Drive. Mr. Walker said this project will be done this month and into May.

Meanwhile, Morehead City plans to use the $200,000, along with a $407,000, five-year, zero-interest loan from North Carolinas Eastern Region, the 13-county economic development agency based in Kinston, to cover the construction costs of the planned 6,000-square-foot platform over the water.

The deck is to be built directly south of the first phase of the project, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament sculpture and fountain constructed in 2013 on the triangular or jib sail-shaped, city-owned parcel at the east end of Shepard Street.

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Two communities to receive CAMA grants