SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- It’s a building dedicated entirely to public health and safety. Unfortunately, over the years, the Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower itself has become a threat to public health and safety. ”The condition of the tower is atrocious. There is giant cracks, fissures in the wall all around it, rusting out metal, things were falling off, things were falling apart. It really did seem like a disaster area that doesn't even feel safe to walk around," said Matt Gardner, Mission Beach Town Council. Popular beach in San Diego County to host surfing in the 2028 Summer Olympics Like any building on the beach -- the Mission Beach Lifeguard Tower has been beaten and battered by decades of wind and salt air. In fact, the lifeguards have installed temporary barriers around the lifeguard tower to prevent people from getting too close. ”That's not a good sign, it's not what you want. Especially when it's something like public safety and you need the appearance of safety and your building is falling apart and potentially hurting somebody, that's not the emotion that you want to convey when you're trying to protect the public," said Gardner. Regardless of the tower’s condition -- the lifeguards themselves carry on as usual. SANDAG plans $260M project to restore San Diego beaches But help is on the way. In a rare move by the City Council, an emergency has been declared, with $1 million going for repairs. ”It feels nice to finally be heard. The city did hear that we had a huge emergency need here, they got it on the docket, they got it past committee. Everything flew through and it was an emergency funding. So it's nice when they finally hear you," said Gardner. ‘By-the-wind sailors’ spotted by San Diego beachgoers So now that spring break has come and gone and summer is just around the corner, Mission Beach is about to be booming. ”Oh, it’s absolutely the busiest tower. We are in the highest tourism zone around. The most lives that need to be saved are right around here. It's vitally important that this gets done and gets done as fast as possible," Gardner continued. ...read more read less