Seaside Review -- Oct. 1-8

[Coast is Clear]

As an owner is Seaside I have been interested in all the comments. Here are some of my views as someone who has gone to Seaside for many years before buying and building 2 years ago:

-Yes it was heartbreaking to spend all that money on the beaches and walkovers last year to see them all taken away in 1 year. I am not sure it was $1mm, but could have been with walkways, sand, plantings etc. Town Counsel is going to take their time to come up with a solution that will not just be throwing money at the problem. They are a very dedicated group. Expert coming in for owners weekend to discuss options.

-I am hoping the above does not mean that all the pavillions will not be rebuilt. They are an icon to the town, no question. I know the short term solution is that 2 removable aluminum staircases will be put on two of the pavillions. I think they will see how those work and go from there. Owners weekend is this next weekend, and they were supposed to be up by then.

-Seaside is going through a transition currently, that looks to be a huge step in the right direction for the town. The previous Town Cousels have sat on their hands and let the town slip a bit. That has been fully recognized over the last year and will be corrected going forward. It has helped to have competition come along to keep them on their toes. There is a huge push for not only better management and maintenance, but to keep Seaside as a showcase for many of the good things 30-A has to offer.

-Obviously, everyone has their own preferences of the areas they like to rent, and what is 'worth it'. I have driven through Watercolor, and Rosemary on weekends, at nights, on holidays, etc., and as far as 'town feel' nothing holds a candle to activity and life that Seaside has for that type of development.

-We spent this last weekend (7-10) at Seaside, and I had even been talking about maybe selling our place to find something closer to home (Atl). But I realized it was just my disapointment in noy being able to get down more oftem that was talking.

While I know 'October is the worst time of year to be on 30-A' we got REALLY lucky and had a spectacular 3 days of sun, low 80's, no red tide, no flies, tag sale, good food, just perfect. It made me realize how lucky we are. Looking up and down the coast and seeing the variations in the sand, coastline, etc. it is all just a part of what we have to get used to living on the coast. It has its charm and surprises.

With the construction planned over the next few years in town, there may be more inconveniences, but I think the town is on the right track for the long haul, and is still a beautiful charming place visit.

 

[Kurt]

While I know 'October is the worst time of year to be on 30-A' we got REALLY lucky and had a spectacular 3 days of sun, low 80's, no red tide, no flies, tag sale, good food, just perfect. It made me realize how lucky we are. Looking up and down the coast and seeing the variations in the sand, coastline, etc. it is all just a part of what we have to get used to living on the coast. It has its charm and surprises.

With the construction planned over the next few years in town, there may be more inconveniences, but I think the town is on the right track for the long haul, and is still a beautiful charming place visit.

Thanks goodness and well said. I hate to hear about someone not coming back because we're not perfect. Not because they're not coming back, but because they ever came here in the first place. To those people, I say go to a "real" resort where no warts are allowed to exist.

I hate the perfect place - unless it happens by accident.

Thanks for the info. My concern, hopefully wrong, is that the Seaside central square (modeled after Siena, IT) will become a canyon. I like the open feel and human scale of it now. Siena has large buildings but the Piazza is much bigger than Seaside central square. Like Piazza Del Campo, Seaside central square would be much better without cars. Let's get rid of the parking and put in cafe tables and umbrellas.

 

[aquaticbiology]

QUOTE: I am hoping the above does not mean that all the pavillions will not be rebuilt. They are an icon to the town, no question. I know the short term solution is that 2 removable aluminum staircases will be put on two of the pavillions. I think they will see how those work and go from there. Owners weekend is this next weekend, and they were supposed to be up by then. /QUOTE



you ought to look into something like this that is not rigidly mounted on the beach end and can go up and down with the seasonal beach height changes

they use them on the lake up here as the water level fluctuates so much that a standard, hooked at both ends structure would either be high and dry 20-40' above the water or underwater by the same amount.

just reverse it and put the boat dock on the top and have the bridge reach down to the beach - instant removable pavillion and beach access and cheap!

http://www.aluminumboatdocks.com/gallery.htm

 

[Coast is Clear]

Kurt-

I also was a bit concerned about the height around the square. Time will tell, but I think that because there is supposed to be an open plaza leading out to the ocean as well, (with restaurants etc.) that it might relieve the height issue and give that Italian plaza feel which can be charming. :clap_1:

Aqua-

I hope you are right, because the sand level will vary. I am sure there will be some adjustability. I am hoping that if they work well that they can put them at more pavillions, paint them white, and get a better look with more functionality.

 

[Beachlover2]

Aqua-

I hope you are right, because the sand level will vary. I am sure there will be some adjustability. I am hoping that if they work well that they can put them at more pavillions, paint them white, and get a better look with more functionality.

Wouldn't it be possible to build the aluminum walkways out of white vinyl covered aluminum - like they do with fences now (usually the fences are black - but you can get them in different colors). Just a thought.

 

[Smiling JOe]

... My concern, hopefully wrong, is that the Seaside central square (modeled after Siena, IT) will become a canyon. I like the open feel and human scale of it now. Siena has large buildings but the Piazza is much bigger than Seaside central square. Like Piazza Del Campo, Seaside central square would be much better without cars. Let's get rid of the parking and put in cafe tables and umbrellas.

Amen!

 

[Beach Runner]

Yes, I will definitely miss the old charm of Seaside once it is transformed into something totally different.

 

[Coast is Clear]

Change is always difficult, however, the plan being put in place is the one originally designed when Seaside was being first created. So if we like what the founders have done so far, ( and I think time has shown they have had more 'hits' than 'misses') I am hoping that seeing what the plan was originally intended to look like might be beautiful as well.

I have seen the drawings, which I think have been posted here before, and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Paula]

I saw a funny quotation today that reminds me of what people say about Seaside.

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's just too crowded."

The quote is attributed to Yogi Berra, but there are too many funny quotes that are attributed to him. Some say it's a myth that he said so many silly things. But, it's a good quotation nonetheless.

 

[newyorker]

I'm not a property owner, but we have come every year for the last 9 years to Seagrove/Seaside--and my family (including two teenagers) would not think of going anywhere else. Seaside is a unique place--for those who think "crowded"--try Cape Cod or the Jersey shore (where lots of people go from upstate NY where I live). But Seaside has a community feel that we just don't seem to get at Rosemary and some of the other "planned communities". I think Kurt is right--perfection won't lead to a great place--there has to be a sense of letting people have a choice of things to do (I don't like the food at Shades, for example, but it is wonderful to see happy people as we pass by there on a hot summer night--and my daughter had one of her first real "dates" at Shades. It offered her a wonderful experience--so who am I to be jjudgemental?)
We come a long ways every summer for that "community" and "nice people" feel. I like the Rep theater, for example, and I hope that Seaside could do more to promote an arts community.