On June 6, 2018, the City’s “Brick Paver” Program was created by way of Resolution No. 2018-30143 (Exhibit A) to provide the public an opportunity to purchase commemorative brick pavers on the beachwalk corridor between 53^rd and 64^th streets, at the cost of $1,000 per paver.

By the middle of 2019, the City had not received any interest in the program and Administration recommended fee changes that would incentivize participation at the September 11^th Commission meeting. Following discussions regarding both the “Adopt-A-Bench” Program and the “Brick Paver” Program, Commission opted to end the “Brick Paver” Program by way of Resolution No. 2019-30947 (Exhibit B).

At the December 8, 2021 Commission meeting, a discussion regarding the "Adopt-A-Bench" resolution and the 2019 repeal of the “Brick Paver” Program for the potential amendment of said resolution was referred to the Neighborhoods and Quality of Life Committee.

At the March 7, 2022 Public Safety and Neighborhoods Quality of Life Committee (“PSNQLC”), formerly named the Neighborhoods and Quality of Life Committee, the Committee separated the Brick Paver” Program component from the “Adopt-A-Bench” item, and directed Administration to consider other factors before bringing back this item the following month.

Prior to its repeal in 2019, any white/ivory bricks along the mid-beach corridor between 53^rd and 64^th streets were eligible for adoption, for a donation fee of $1,000.

Following the direction from the March 7, 2022 meeting, Administration considered areas on the beachwalk for the “Brick Paver” Program and ultimately determined that the beachwalk is not a good location for this program.

Some contributing factors are:

·       Brick pavers need a solid base for support so that they do not become loose. 

·       The pavers on the beachwalk are built on a sand base which is softer and will lead to settlement and misalignment of the pavers.

·       The constant pedestrian and bicycle traffic are better suited for a smooth level surface.

·       Brick pavers are more expensive than regular surfaces and require more maintenance in high traffic areas.

If it is still the desire of the Committee to move forward with the program, Administration recommends including the program concept in an appropriate future park development such as the Lummus Park masterplan.

Additionally, at the March 7, 2022 PSNQLC meeting it was recommended that the donation fee start at $1,500 with net proceeds from the brick paver program going towards educational programming.

Based on community feedback the department received from the “Adopt-A-Bench” Program, the potential application process for the “Brick Paver” Program may deter interest and somewhat hinder the programs’ potential to reach a larger audience. As it currently stands, any program with commemorative inscriptions would need to undergo the public hearing process pursuant to 82-504(a)(2)(a) of the City Code, which may take anywhere between 2-3 months. It is recommended that the program bypass the formal public hearing process and Commission grant the responsible department the ability to approve applications administratively.