SAN DIEGO — Ocean Beach residents got a first look at plans for a newly designed pier Saturday, following years of sporadic closures of the iconic OB Pier arising from storm damage.
The new concept includes features San Diego residents wanted to see in a new pier, according to a City of San Diego press release.
“This iconic structure is synonymous with Ocean Beach and I'm thankful to the residents in that community and across San Diego who provided feedback to shape this design concept,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Now we turn our focus to obtaining the necessary environmental permits and funding to make this community vision a reality.”
San Diego city staff and engineers presented the new design at the Liberty Station Conference Center Saturday afternoon, followed by interactive workshops to receive feedback from the community.
Under the presented design, the new pier would be about 2,000 feet long with an average deck width of 22 feet, according to the city's release. It would be shaped similarly to the existing pier, with curving arms on the western end. The new pier will have a higher elevation to reduce the potential for wave damage and guard against sea level rise in the future, the city said.
Based on community feedback, the pier would include gathering places, retail, dining and enhanced fishing amenities. The city estimates the renewal project will cost $170-190 million.
“The release of the preferred design concept is the culmination of more than a year of work in close coordination with the community," said Elif Cetin, Assistant Director for Strategic Capital Projects. “We started this process with a blank slate, open to everyone's ideas and desires for a potential replacement pier and we feel like the preferred design concept represents the community input we received. This state-of-the-art design holds core elements of the existing pier and pairs them with unique and innovative design features that will provide a whole new pier experience for generations to come.”
Structural problems lead to pier's replacement
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.
Closed since October, high surf further damaged the pier over the New Year's weekend.
"The cycle of damage and repairs for the Ocean Beach Pier has been an increasing challenge in recent years -- and one that we cannot prevent," said Rania Amen, director of the city's Engineering and Capital Projects Department in January. "Our teams will monitor the situation throughout the storm season, and be ready to fully asses the structure, both above and below the water, once it is appropriate."
Ocean Beach Pier has been closed several times over the past few years. The City of San Diego said it has spent $1.7 million to repair the pier during that time.
City staff expect to present the final design concept to the public later this year.
The city is working to acquire environmental permits for the pier. Once the project secures the necessary permits and funding, the city will demolish the existing pier while constructing the replacement.
Visit the City of San Diego's website for more information on the OB Pier Renewal project.
Residents can fill out an online survey to help design consultants finalize some final touches to the pier, like lighting and shade options. Fill out that survey here.
WATCH RELATED: Noticed posted on OB Pier gate says application filed for demolition, replacement (Jan. 15, 2024)