On September 8th, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., The City of Pismo Beach celebrated the newly completed Ocean Boulevard Improvements Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Community members, the project team, City officials, and members of the press convened on the bluffs to announce the project completion, followed by a neighborhood party with music and food.

The Ocean Boulevard Improvements Project stabilized the bluff face and repaired infrastructure that was damaged by past storm events. The improvements included construction of the new Morro Stairs coastal access to the beach, extensive bluff stabilization, repaving of Ocean Boulevard, and installation of hand and guard railings. Work also included a new storm drain outlet and a pedestrian walkway between Vista Del Mar and Wawona Avenue.

Pismo Beach City Mayor, Ed Waage, commenced the ceremony stating, “This has been a long time coming for the residents who live here […] but it’s well worth it. We’re excited to be celebrating the completion.” Pismo Beach official, Jorge Vargas, also emphasized the importance of “putting money and the investments back into our community [for] resident quality of life.”

The project commenced in May 2022 as an emergency response to storm damage. The team for this project included Granite Construction as the Contractor, Cannon as Construction Management, and ENGEO for engineering design.

Charlie Gray, Cannon’s Project Manager, shared his insights on the project: “This was a very challenging project, but it’s also very satisfying seeing the public enjoy the completed improvements today. Chad Stoehr (City of Pismo Beach) and Gene Spineto (ENGEO) were amazing to work with. Special Inspector Dave Burns (Earth Systems) did an incredible job, as did Cannon’s inspector Ron Tegland. It was a huge team effort, and the project wouldn’t have been such a success without every person doing their part.”