neshotah beach

Staff and consultants (Stantec) presented research and early planning concepts for Lake Michigan shoreline resilience, including possible shoreline protection, park enhancements, access improvements, and wayside upgrades along Mariners Trail and Memorial Drive; the team said it would refine concepts and return with options and costs later.

City Council reviewed an architectural drawing for a proposed new beach pavilion/concession stand and discussed possible funding sources and long-term uses; the current pavilion/concession stand was described as needing replacement or upgrades soon.

City Council discussed a Room Tax-backed financing concept presented by a Room Tax Commission representative and a private investor tied to the Cobblestone Hotel, combining room tax dollars with event-space revenue, donations, and borrowing to reduce general-fund impact for an improved Neshotah Beach building.

Council members raised concerns that if projected revenues do not materialize, the city would still be responsible for payments; no vote was recorded because it was a discussion item.

City Council directed staff to proceed with a major 2026 renovation of the Neshotah Beach concession stand with a total project cap not-to-exceed $520,000, city borrowing not-to-exceed $256,000, and an estimated city tax investment not-to-exceed $131,000 after room tax contributions; motion passed 8-1.

The Room Tax Commission approved $75,000 over three years toward the concession stand project and committed an additional two years of $25,000 per year (total $125,000 over five years) if the city is unsuccessful in obtaining a WEDC Vibrant Spaces grant.

City Council chose an operations plan that keeps the concession stand city-run and adds beer sales, expands the menu, and uses paid beach parking, with revenue split between the Special Events Fund and the General Fund; motion passed 6-3.

City Council discussed launching a public survey on improvements to the Neshotah Beach concessions area, including ADA access and functionality; the timeline discussed was survey launch mid-week, data collection in January–February, and aiming to bid the project in March; no formal action was requested.

The discussion described a budget framing of $255,318 in anticipated borrowing, with a requirement that at least half of the project funding come from other sources for the project to move forward.

In the director’s report, staff said Neshotah Beach improvements were headed to City Council for a borrowing vote scheduled for 2/26/26.

Staff indicated bids and a go/no-go decision were expected after reviewing cost estimates and survey feedback in early April.

City Council approved a plan to borrow up to $2,565,000 for 2026 capital projects, with $2,215,000 supported by the property tax levy and $350,000 supported by the Electric Utility; the borrowing plan included $255,000 listed for the Neshotah Beach concessions project; the resolution passed 8-1.