City officials broke ground Thursday on a new concession stand on the Downtown coastline, the first of three that are expected to open next summer.

The first facility, at Alamitos Beach just south of the Villa Riviera and east of Shoreline Drive, will include 4,240 square feet of space for a game area, a play dune for children, beach rentals, a cafe, bike parking, bike share rentals and increased security and lighting. It will be a two-story facility with a rooftop deck and wrap-around patio.

“These facilities are going to give a great overall improvement to our beach,” Mayor Robert Garcia said Thursday. “Our coastline is critical for us.”

The Alamitos Beach area is expected to cost $9 million, paid for via tidelands funds. (Tidelands funds are designated solely for the space at marinas, beaches and waterways, including the Convention Center, the Queen Mary and adjacent properties such as the Aquarium of the Pacific and Rainbow Harbor.)

The other concession stands will be located near Junipero and Granada avenues. The Junipero facility will include basketball courts—a full and half-court—and fitness area set to be built on the northwestern area of the concession while a massive, net-constructed play zone will accompany a cafe and rentals on the southeast side.

The Granda concession proposal seeks an alteration of its current six volleyball courts, of which two rows of three courts sit west-to-east just west of the restrooms. That will be reconfigured to three rows of two courts, allowing for an expanded play area, cafe and vendor spots.