Kill Devil Hills, N.C. - A plan to widen the beach in Kill Devil Hills is moving forward.
The $20 million project would pump between 910,000 and 1.7 million cubic yards of sand onto the beachfront from offshore, according to Kill Devil Hill town documents.
Erosion over the years has washed away much of the sand, leaving limited beach space and homes vulnerable during storms.
"I think it's made the beach smaller. There's not as much beach area. It's just a difference in the homes that are here and the homes that have been destroyed over the years," explained Shelia Vick as she stood on the beach Friday.
Half of the project would be funded by the Dare County Beach Nourishment Fund while the other half would be paid for by a special obligation fund.
That special obligation fund would come from Kill Devil Hills' current share of the occupancy tax as well as a 1% increase in the tax.
To make up for the money funneled away by the occupancy tax, a town-wide 3 cent tax and a municipal service district tax where the sand would be placed of 32.09 cents would be added.
Read more about the plans for beach nourishment in Kill Devil Hills from the town's website here.
