Q: How will this boardwalk help with Hurricane Mitigation?
A: The Boardwalk, with its knee wall, is integral to the overall mitigation plan, which includes sand dunes (with sea oaks and wrack) and a deeper beach (to be implemented in the Fall of 2025).
Q: How will the boardwalk make for a safer Pass Christian?
A: Throughout the city, the width of the existing pathway on the southside of Highway 90 averages about 4', sometimes abruptly changing from 8' width to 36" wide. In many sections of the pathway, two bicycles can't pass each other or ride side by side. In many sections, the pathway slants down significantly and is only inches from the Highway. A consistent 10' width boardwalk provides walkers and bicyclists with a significantly safer surface and a buffer from the Highway.
Q: I saw on Facebook pictures that show the new wall was already cracking. That's not good.
A: This was another false report. The pictures show cracks in the old wall that was constructed after Katrina. The person who took and posted the pictures now realizes the cracks were old.
Q: Really, how tall is this knee wall? Someone told me it will be 3 feet tall.
A: We heard that also, but the knee wall is only about 15 inches. We know some residents were told it was 3 feet, but that simply isn't true. Biloxi’s knee wall is 18”, but we got permission from the engineers at DMR to go to only 15”. You can see the TRUE size of the boardwalk under construction west of the harbor.
Q: What will happen to the seawall steps we have now.
A: They will be covered up by the Boardwalk. This will have a similar look to the areas where the vehicle parking bays were built after Katrina.
Q: How will we get to the beach?
A: There will be stairs with handrails at the bottom of every street, at every vehicle parking bay and anywhere else there is a demonstrated need.
Q: Is the Boardwalk ADA compliant? Will the handicapped have access to the beach?
A: Yes, the Boardwalk will have ADA complaint ramps at every vehicle parking bay. Additionally, we are applying for a grant to expand handicapped access to the beach.
Q: Will the Beach Boardwalk devalue the beachfront property?
A: While no studies have been done specifically on Pass Christian, there are a myriad of studies showing improvements to the beach and improvement in a city’s walkability score enhance property values. Check out the following resources:
· The Economic Value of America’s Beaches, by James R. Houston, April, 2024
· https://blockappraisals.com/how-does-location-impact-home-appraisal-value/
· https://cityobservatory.org/the-economic-value-of-walkability-new-evidence/
Q: Because of the new boardwalk, I won’t be able to see birds on the beach when I drive on Highway 90. Right?
A: This boardwalk, with its 15” knee wall, may impair the view of birds in places where the beach is especially narrow. But most places along Highway 90 will continue to be prime bird-watching territory.
Q: My husband says a 15" knee wall won't keep sand off the highway. Will it?
A: Nothing will keep all the sand off the highway all the time. However, the city engineer, and the engineers and leadership of the MS Department of Marine Resources and Harrison County Sand Beach Authority believe the new Beach Boardwalk, with its 15" kneewall, will significantly reduce the sand on Highway 90 and will save us, the taxpayers of Pass Christian, $1 million a year in sand removal costs.
Q: I remember sitting on the seawall steps with my grandfather.
A: What wonderful memories! This Boardwalk will help present and future generations make new memories of being able to safely walk and bike along our beautiful MS Sound.
Q: Is this a new thing? I haven't heard anything about the Beach Boardwalk before six weeks ago.
A. This project started back in 2017 as the Harrison County Active Living Initiative whose purpose was to "advocate, encourage and support local governments to develop region-wide bicycle and pedestrian improvements; enhance active living opportunities by connecting residents and tourists to coastal tourism and business destinations via safely designed trails, sidewalks, protected bike lanes, multi-use pathways, etc." Presentations were made to the coastal cities and the county. In the Pass, a presentation was made to the Board of Alderpersons (BoA) in December 2020. In July 2022, the mayor was authorized by the to apply for $2.5 million in GOMESA funs for Phase 1 of the boardwalk. Ground breaking for the $2.5 million pedestrian walkway was held in Pass Christian in early April 2024.
Q: I’m confused. Someone said this is about the “seawall”. What is a seawall?
A: The Army Corp of Engineers’ manual titled “Design of Coastal Revetments, Seawalls, and Bulkheads (30June1995)" defines a seawall as a massive structure that is designed primarily to resist wave action along high value coastal property. More specifically, our current seawall is a “stepped-face seawall”. The proposed Beach Boardwalk will cover the existing seawall and present a flat-faced wall from the beach side.