SAN DIEGO — A new sign on the Ocean Beach Pier says an application has been filed with the City of San Diego for its demolition.
It's known as the longest concrete pier on the West Coast.
"It's pretty sad. You know? It's a landmark in Ocean Beach, and we just love it. If you had to imagine Ocean Beach without the pier, it's sad," said Ocean Beach resident Jim Macdonald.
The notice from the City of San Diego’s Development Services Department reads an application has been filed with the city for a Site Development Permit for the historic designation, demolition and replacement of the OB Pier.
"If they don't do something to shore up the deck, it could collapse into the ocean in that one spot," said Geoff Page, a longtime OB resident and writer for the OB Rag.
The pier has been closed intermittently since October, and for those that love it, it feels like it has been closed forever. Just two weeks ago the big waves and King Tides knocked down one of its support pilings.
Over the past five years, the city has spent nearly $2 million on repairs.
"I care about the pier. I love the pier. The neglect of the city is responsible for what we are looking at now," said Victor Arreguin, who has been fishing at the pier since it first opened in 1966.
"I was here when they opened it, and I walked all the way down, and I was last man that walked off the pier," he said.
The city has been working on several new design options. The entire cost of a new pier has not been determined yet, but $8.4 million in state funding has been set aside for it.
Page said the notice may be part of the permit process, and it could be a long time before we see anything happen.
"I think it's a wonderful asset, and everybody in the city loves it," said Page. "If they never put a replacement, I'd be disappointed."
The City of San Diego sent CBS 8 this statement:
The public notice posted on the gates of the Ocean Beach Pier is part of the City's Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project and is not a direct result of recent damage. The notice is a standard procedure for the California Environmental Quality Act permitting process and the City's Development Services Department Site Development Permit application. There are no current plans for the demolition of the Ocean Beach Pier.
The notice refers to the historic designation, demolition and replacement of the Ocean Beach Pier, which is the desired long-term solution for the 57-year-old pier based on input gathered from residents at recent community workshops. The notice also mentions that a decision will be made at a public hearing, which refers to the City's standard requirement to present this as an action item for a vote at the local planning board meeting. Currently, there is no timeline for when this will be presented to the Ocean Beach Planning Board because the full conceptual design and environmental permitting processes are ongoing. As part of our extensive community outreach campaign for the renewal project that dates back to early 2023, the City plans to host another community workshop in the spring to discuss the preferred design alternative for a future replacement pier.
The pier, which is beyond its useful life, remains closed as a result of repeated damage. It initially closed in October 2023 after being damaged during high surf. In late December 2023, the combination of high surf and king tides caused significant damage to the pier; it lost one pile, a portion of a pile cap and large sections of railing. For anyone visiting the pier or the surrounding area, especially during high surf and king tides, please take extra caution as the pier could suffer additional structural failure. This could create potential hazards for anyone on the beach and in the water. Per San Diego Municipal Code, it is against the law for anyone to swim, wade, surf or skin dive within 75 feet of any fishing pier owned and operated by the City (SDMC §63.20.16). Due to the current condition of the pier and to ensure everyone's safety, we are asking the public to stay further away from the structure than 75 feet.
The City has initiated an assessment of the recent pier damage and will work with the consultant to determine potential options for stabilizing the structure. This is the first step in the process, and as of now, there is no timeline for completion. The original plan was to wait until after the winter storm season to conduct a full assessment, but recent damage and upcoming weather patterns have created a new urgency to inspect the pier. We will continue monitoring the situation as the storm season progresses and address any urgent items that may come up.
Again, there are no active plans for the demolition of the Ocean Beach Pier. The City is aware of recent damage and is working with our consultant to assess the pier and provide options for potential stabilization. We hope to release more information about the short- and long-term status of the Ocean Beach Pier in the near future.
WATCH RELATED: High surf continues in San Diego, damaging Ocean Beach Pier (Jan. 4, 2024)