By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The City of San Diego and its engineering consultants revealed a refined preferred design concept for a potential Ocean Beach Pier replacement.
The concept, shared during a community workshop held this afternoon, is the culmination of more than 18 months of community engagement for the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project, which featured four workshops to create a design for and by the community.
The original preferred design concept was presented in April and incorporated iconic elements of the existing 58-year-old Ocean Beach Pier, along with aesthetic elements that offer something modern and new for future generations to enjoy. The original concept was based on community input and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. As a result, the refined preferred design concept maintains the overall feel of the original concept with updates to various features like lighting, shading, and fishing amenities based on public input.
“More than 18 months ago, we set off on an extensive community outreach campaign to find out what the people of Ocean Beach and across San Diego wanted to see in a potential replacement Ocean Beach Pier, and here we are with a final design concept in place,” said Elif Cetin, Acting Director of the Engineering and Capital Project Department. “We are committed to following through on these discussions, acquiring the necessary funding and permits, and bringing this community-driven vision to life.”
Saturday was the final of five community workshops held since April 2023. The project’s focus now shifts to acquiring the proper environmental permits for the project under the California Environmental Quality Act and engaging with appropriate stakeholders to get feedback during the Environmental Impact Report process of acquiring funding. The current estimated cost range for the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project is $170 million to $190 million. This estimated total project cost includes everything completed so far for the community engagement process through the end of construction. Currently, $8.4 million in state funding is designated for the project.
Once proper environmental permitting and necessary funding have been secured, demolition of the existing structure and construction of the new pier will take place concurrently. The new pier will be constructed over approximately the same footprint as the existing pier but with a higher deck elevation to minimize the potential for wave damage and account for future sea level rise. Work would start from the base of the pier, where it connects with the land, and work toward the west.
The timeline for the start and end of construction for this project is not yet finalized and is dependent upon acquiring the necessary environmental permits and funding. A current projection of expected progress estimates that the preliminary design concept and environmental studies could be completed by the end of 2024, the Environmental Impact Report could be routed for public review in the summer of 2025, and the project could be ready to advertise for bid by late 2026.
After it was damaged by high surf in October 2023, the Ocean Beach Pier has remained closed for public access. Additional and more significant damage occurred in December 2023 when a support bracket – or “pile” – broke off and fell into the ocean. Engineering teams have determined that any work to rehabilitate the pier is not feasible, especially given the likelihood of additional damage occurring during future winter storms, and that the safest and most cost-effective option is to keep the structure closed while the city moves forward with a long-term solution to replace the pier.
While the pier does not pose an immediate threat to public safety, additional signage has been posted along the pier reminding visitors to be cautious when visiting the area. These signs reference the San Diego Municipal Code which states it is against the law for anyone to swim, wade, surf, or skin dive within 75 feet of any fishing pier owned or operated by the city.
A 2018 study determined that the pier was beyond its useful life and recommended pursuing its replacement. At the time, minimal repairs would have cost approximately $8 million, and rehabilitation would have cost $30 million to $50 million. Since 2018, the study was conducted, pier damage and construction industry repair costs have both significantly increased, further bolstering the replacement case.
