Uncertainty over federal funding is the only glitch in plans to restore Seahurst Park's north beach and seawall, Burien council members were informed March 7.

The lawmakers were told there is not enough money in the proposed federal budget for all construction projects planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The budget is being hotly debated currently in the U.S. Congress.

But Steve Roemer, project manager for Burien Parks, said plans are underway to restore the north beach in much the same way as the south beach was renovated in 2005.

"The existing north shore will become like the south shore but more so," Roemer declared. "It's much larger
and the change will be more dramatic."

Restoration will include the removal of the seawall, rock riprap, rock groins and fill, restoring beaches to replicate natural slopes and adding nourishment of gravel and sand.

The project area includes 2,800 feet of shoreline. It extends from the park's lower parking lot to the northern park boundary and to the lower slopes of the forested bluffs.

A playground will be placed where the current turnaround is and the turnaround moved father north, according to Roemer.

Final design will be completed in June or July with construction slated to start in October. The park will be closed to the public during part of the construction. The project is slated to be completed by April 2012.
Roemer acknowledged there are questions about federal funding. The Corps is slated to contribute $4 million of the $7 million total cost. Various other agencies will contribute with Burien scheduled to pay $416,000.

"This is an important project to the citizens of Burien," Councilman Jack Block Jr. said. "It is an opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the region that restoration works."