San Diego asks the public for new ideas at Ocean Beach Pier

The City of San Diego will invite the public to a series of public workshops to provide information and gather information about the Ocean Beach Pier Renovation Project, the city announced Monday.

This project aims to provide a long-term solution for the 56-year-old pier, which has been damaged by storms in the past few years, including the possibility of a complete replacement.

“Ocean Beach Pier has provided countless memories to people around the world since it opened in 1966, but the harsh marine environment has resulted in significant wear and tear over time,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “We are looking into replacing the pier because we appreciate its importance to the Ocean Beach community as an iconic landmark and economic engine.

“We hope a long-term solution can be a new milestone that works for all of San Diego and Ocean Beach,” he said.

Based on the results of a 2018 study by consultant Moffatt & Nichol, San Diego determined that replacing the pier was the best option given “current repair costs, the need for upgrades to the existing facility, and future sea levels expected.” rise,” the city said in a statement.

In the course of the study, structural damage and deterioration were studied and three options for the future pier were analyzed: repair, restoration or replacement. He found various structural problems with the pier and determined that it had reached the end of its useful life.

The Ocean Beach Pier Renovation Project is in the pre-design and planning stages and has yet to go through other stages, including environmental and other regional agency approvals, design and construction.

The preliminary design and planning phase is expected to be completed this fall.

Upcoming public workshops will help consultants develop a preferred option for a potential pier replacement. The first workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 from noon to 4:00 pm at the Liberty Station Convention Center, 2600 Laning Road.

Once the preferred option is finalized, a detailed project schedule and cost estimate will be prepared. The project currently has $8.4 million in public funding, and the city will seek other state and federal grants, according to a city statement.

“Ocean Beach Pier replacement provides an opportunity to create a new, beloved structure that will serve the needs of San Diego residents and visitors well into the 21st century while preserving the heritage of the original pier,” said James Nagelworth, City Director of Strategic Capital Projects.

The pier is closed to the public after it was damaged by a storm and heavy surf in January. The City will assess the full extent of damage, both above and below the water surface, after the storm season passes, and then make a decision on whether to repair and reopen the pier.

Crews could be seen on the pier and in the water around the pier in the coming weeks and months as part of investigative processes for both possible repairs and replacements, according to a city statement.