SAN DIEGO — At the end of Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, a locked chain link fence marks the entrance to the iconic Ocean Beach Pier.
The pier, often considered the center of Ocean Beach, now sits in disrepair, with planks missing from the deck and weakened pylons left to be battered by the incoming surf. Over several years, the city has poured millions of dollars to repair damaged sections. Last year, the city decided to close it for good.
The decision was a long time coming.
Back in 2018, a study by consultants Moffatt & Nichol found that ongoing structural problems with the aging pier have caused it to reach the end of its useful service life. That study also determined that potentially replacing the pier is the best option for it in the long-term, given the ongoing costs of repairs and the need to modernize the facility, as well as anticipating future sea-level rise.
Now, in the coming months, the City of San Diego hopes to take important steps in demolishing the 58-year-old sportfishing pier.
It will not come without a steep price tag for San Diego taxpayers and questions whether the cost to build a new pier, which as is the case of all piers facing constant pressure from an unrelenting ocean, is worth it, especially as the city stares at a long-term structural deficit.
According to newly released estimates, city engineers expect to spend up to $190 million to build a new pier.
So just what are the next steps in moving forward?
CBS 8 asked the city what the next steps are in what will be a major municipal project.
- First up, the city will continue to work with engineers and the community to finalize the design of the new pier. While the overall concept is now in place, the city told CBS 8 that the final bells and whistles such as lighting and other amenities still need to be ironed out. Those final touches are expected to be decided on this fall.
- As for the general design, the new pier will be built on the same footprint as the existing pier but with a higher deck elevation to account for future sea level rise.
"The preferred design concept will continue to be refined and developed based on additional feedback provided by the community, specifically for certain pier amenities that are not yet finalized, like lighting and shade options," a city spokesperson told CBS 8.
- Once the complete design is approved, the city will seek to obtain all necessary environmental permits as well as perform the Environmental Impact Report.
During it all, the city will try to scrape together the money needed to pay for the large undertaking. While the exact dollar amount remains unknown pending the final design, the city anticipates the cost to be from $170 million to $190 million.
"[The cost] could change depending upon the outcome of the environmental permitting process," said a city spokesperson. "This number is the estimated total project cost and includes everything completed so far for the community engagement process through the end of construction."
Obtaining the money will not be an easy task.
The city faces years of massive budget deficits. While Mayor Todd Gloria balanced this coming year's budget using a variety of one-time funding measures, the city expects the deficit to grow to $156 million in 2026, slightly tapering off in 2029 to $141 million.
That is a pittance compared to the city's infrastructure backlog. According to a 2024 report from the Independent Budget Analyst, the city needs $4.8 billion to cover the funding needed for current projects.
In terms of the funding for the pier, the city hopes to obtain state and federal grants as well as find potential donors.
"We are actively pursuing all available funding sources for this Capital Improvement Program project as well as the long-term maintenance of the facility," said the city spokesperson. "Options for potential funding include state and federal grants and the possibility for a public-private partnership, which can be structured in various ways, including as a private loan. Currently, $8.4 million in state funding is designated for this project. The current funding will take the project through the environmental permitting phase."
As for the timeline, if and when Ocean Beach gets its new pier, that, said the city, is not set in stone.
"The timeline for the start and end of construction for this project is yet to be determined but will be provided once the environmental permitting process and funding acquisition process are complete."
For more on the project, go to the Pier Renewal project webpage on the Pier Renewal project webpage.