January 26, 2024

As you'll see in this Ocean Breeze Annual Review, 2023 was another busy year in Atlantic Beach. From purchasing a state-of-the-art 78' E-One Aerial ladder truck to completing necessary stormwater projects, the Town of Atlantic Beach has made great strides in all service areas for our citizens. 

We are proud to present just a few of our accomplishments from 2023!

Stormwater Drainage Projects



At the beginning of February 2023, Thomas Simpson Construction began work on a three-phased $348,000 stormwater project. Phase one addressed major stormwater flooding issues during heavy storms in the Asbury/Henderson Drive neighborhood.

Phases two and three included stormwater improvements on Davis Blvd and Cooper Ave Extension and were also completed by Thomas Simpson Construction. 

New Town Manager Appointed

In February, the Town of Atlantic Beach announced the selection of John A. O'Daniel as Town Manager to replace retiring manager David Walker. 

Atlantic Beach entrusted Developmental Associates, LLC, a consulting firm out of Chapel Hill, to conduct a nationwide Town Manager search. The recruitment process thoroughly vetted candidates and ultimately led to the selection of O'Daniel.

O'Daniel has hit the ground running since starting with the Town in March and looks forward to another productive year in 2024. 

$70,000 RCCP Grant Received 

In March, our Planning & Development Department was notified that we were awarded $70,000 for Phases I and II under the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). 

The N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program aims to facilitate a community-driven process that includes four phases, with Phases I and II focused on developing a risk and vulnerability assessment and prioritizing projects that would increase the Town’s resilience to natural hazards. For technical assistance in completing Phases I and II, we have been paired with Dewberry Engineers. Our Watershed Restoration & Resiliency Plan was adopted in 2021, which identified 25 potential projects to aid in reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality. Staff is hopeful this opportunity can be utilized to expand on that effort. Once completed, we will be eligible to apply for Phase III funding for engineering and design work. 

Beach Music Festival Recap

The 2023 AB Beach Music Festival was a huge success with six events throughout Beach Music Week, thousands in attendance, and over $40,000 in sponsorships!

Save the date for the 10th Annual AB Beach Music Festival on the boardwalk at the Circle on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The 2024 festival will feature:

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
• 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Band of Oz
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Embers
• 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. I-42 Band
• 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Mighty Saints of Soul

2023 Town Events

Throughout 2023, the Town hosted various family-friendly events on our beachfront and at the Atlantic Beach Town Park. 

• Annual Smoke on the Water Bonfire
• Beachfront Egg Hunt
• Beach Music Week
• Beach Music Festival
• Jr. Lifeguard Camp
• Summer Movies at the Park
• Family Foam Parties
• July 4th Celebration
• National Night Out
• Halloween Trunk or Treat
• Light Up The Night Christmas Parade

Save the date for our annual Beachfront Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23. There will be egg hunts divided by age group, the Easter bunny will be on-site for free photos, and The Bite will be selling coffee and breakfast items!

Beach Wheelchair Program

Thanks to the Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Fishing Tournament, our beachfront received a new addition in 2023. Beach wheelchairs are now stored in an easily accessible, weather-safe environment at The Circle Regional Beach Access. Thank you to Coastal Press for the beautiful job of wrapping the trailer. Beach wheelchairs can be checked out from our Lifeguards on a first-come, first-serve basis daily at no cost.

Thanks to sponsors Palm Suites, ViaMark Advertising, The Cottages at Bay Ridge, The Sarah James Fulcher Red Fish Tournament, and the ABKMFT, the trailer is now stocked with ten beach wheelchairs! 

The ABFD and ABKMFT have been working to replace older beach wheelchairs and to increase the number of chairs available to ensure everyone who visits the Town of Atlantic Beach can enjoy access to our beaches and waters. 

Annual Spring Dredging Project

The spring dredging project was completed in July of 2023. The contractor, Brooks Dredging & Marine Construction, removed 2,500 cubic yards of material from the following locations: Royal Channel, New Causeway Channel, Causeway Channel Buoy 5A and Buoy 7A, and Money Island Channel. The Channel Marker property owners purchased all of the sand from the dredging firm and used it to raise the site. 

ABPD Community Events

In addition to our annual National Night Out event in August, the Atlantic Beach Police Department hosted several "Coffee with a Cop" outings and medicine collections through Operation Medicine Drop. 

The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve by removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood. ABPD engaged with locals at both Atlantic Beach Coffee and Venice Italian Kitchen. 

Operation Medicine Drop aims to make it convenient for the public to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. The ABPD conducted collections at the Atlantic Beach Food Lion multiple times in 2023. 

24th Consecutive Year Receiving The Excellent Audit Award

For the 24th consecutive year, The Town of Atlantic Beach has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada! The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Town Manager John O'Daniel noted, "We are very proud of the fine work done by our Finance Director Sarah Currie and her staff in maintaining the standards to achieve this award continuously. Our Town's fiscal accountability, transparency, and stability are always a top priority, and this award demonstrates that we are operating both efficiently and with integrity."

AB Merchandise Now Available

In September of 2023, the Town began offering Atlantic Beach merchandise for purchase at Town Hall! 

We are proud to offer the following items with the iconic Atlantic Beach Logo: 

• Men's Embroidered Columbia PFG, $50
• Women's Embroidered Columbia PFG, $50
• Richardson 112 Hats, $20
• Navy 30oz Tumbler, $20
• White 30oz Tumbler, $20
• Flag (2ft x 3ft), $20
• License Plate (Oval), $10
• License Plate (Vintage), $10
• Can Koozie, $5



Stop by Town Hall Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to purchase yours today! Purchases can be made with cash or card. Please note there will be NO holds, and shipping is NOT available. 

Updates Coming To Town Park

In October, the Town entered into an agreement with the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) through N.C. State University to design updates to the Atlantic Beach Town Park. NLI will utilize a collaborative process to design an expanded and renovated intergenerational nature play area. 

The Town expects to receive plans in March of 2024 that can be implemented in three phases over the next few years. Phase one will include adding a large play structure to replace the previous playground that was removed in 2023 due to deterioration. 

Newly Elected Town Council

After November's election, we welcomed the newly elected Atlantic Beach Town Council!

From left to right: Councilmember Renea Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters, Mayor Danny Navey, Councilmember Harry Archer III, Councilmember Fred Joey Dean, and Councilmember Joseph Starling.

Former Mayor A.B. "Trace" Cooper III was also recognized for his 16 years of service to the Town. In addition to a resolution from the Town, he received a Certificate of Appreciation from Governor Roy Cooper's office in recognition of his dedication and outstanding service to the State of North Carolina. 

East End Dredging 

Dredging on the east end of Atlantic Beach began in late 2023. This periodic dredging is completed every few years to keep the harbor and entrance channel at the N.C. State Port of Morehead City safe for ships. The dredging is necessary for the port and is part of regular maintenance, which means free sand for Atlantic Beach! 

Are you interested in the progress of the winter dredging project on the East end of Atlantic Beach? The Army Corp of Engineers now offers a Sand Placement Tracker that shows the progress of the project in real time. Please click below for both the web and mobile versions. 

New Police Chief Hired

The Atlantic Beach Police Department welcomed new Police Chief David L. Clifton in December. Previous Police Chief Jeff W. Harvey retired after a 24-year career in law enforcement.

Clifton began his law enforcement career at the Carteret County Sheriff's Office and, prior to coming to Atlantic Beach, was a Lieutenant with NC Highway Patrol, where he served for 25 years. 

If you see him around Town, please do not hesitate to say hello! 

New Ladder Truck for ABFD 

The Atlantic Beach Fire Department's new E-One Typhoon HP78 Aerial Ladder arrived at the end of 2023. 

The E One unit was purchased in June of 2022 via a state-approved purchasing cooperative contract and will replace the aging 2003 unit now in use. The new truck will help maintain the department's Class 3 fire rating and serve a dual purpose as a fire engine and 78' ladder truck.

Join the ABFD for a dedication of the new 2024 E-One Ladder Truck in honor of Chief Adam W. Snyder with a traditional "wetdown" ceremony.  

The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, from 1-2 p.m. at the Atlantic Beach Fire Department. 

Photo of the Week

Thank you to the Atlantis Lodge for posting this photo on Instagram.

Be sure to tag @townofatlanticbeach to have your photos featured.