The battered Ocean Beach pier will remain closed to the public until early next year as the city braces for another stormy winter.
The now 57-year-old landmark has been closed since San Diego lifeguards shut its gates on Oct. 20 as a precaution amid high surf conditions.
Large waves, which could be seen cresting the pier through the storm, resulted in broken railings and other surface damage, prompting the city to issue the extended closure.
“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. “Our teams will monitor the situation throughout the storm season and be ready to fully assess the structure, both above and below the water, once it is appropriate.”
City officials will reassess and determine the next steps for the pier once the storm season has passed.
The city is working to design a replacement for the iconic landmark after a 2018 study determined it had “reached the end of its service life” and gave the city three options: repair the pier, rehabilitate it or replace it.
The city launched its pier renewal project earlier this year and has been asking the public for help in envisioning its future through a series of community workshops while it searches for a long-term solution.
Worsening winter storms in recent years have battered the structure, resulting in several months-long closures.
The pier had just recently reopened in July after a six-month closure, just in time for its 57th anniversary and the Fourth of July holiday. The city spent about $230,000 repairing damage to the railings and buildings during that recent closure.
Similar closures occurred from January to July in 2021 and January to May in 2019 for repairs. The 2021 damage led to nearly $1 million in repairs, while the 2019 storm cost about $430,000.
Over the past five years, the city has spent about $1.7 million to repair the pier, not including the cost of staff time and additional resources. The pier has been closed for about 30 percent of that time.
Following the most recent damage last month, city officials say it could face further damage from the upcoming El Niño storm season.
“The extended closure of the iconic Ocean Beach Pier further highlights the need to potentially replace the current structure,” said Elif Cetin, assistant director of the city’s Strategic Capital Projects team. “We have spent months collaborating with San Diegans about what they would like to see if the current pier is replaced, and we are excited to share that preferred design with the community in 2024.”
The city unveiled three preliminary design concepts for a replacement pier during a community workshop in September.
Public feedback was used as a framework in developing each of the design alternatives, all of which feature ideas for specific amenities and incorporate environmental constraints, including sea-level rise.
Results from additional public input garnered through an online survey and at other public events will help shape the preferred design concept.
The final design is expected to be selected later this year and shared with city and environmental agencies before it is unveiled to the public early next year for further input.
The current planning and engineering phase of the project is backed by $8.4 million of state funding. The estimated total cost of the project will be determined after a design is chosen, but the city plans to pursue a combination of federal and state grants to help fund it.
The project will still need to go through environmental reviews and permitting as required by law. The city wants to start building a new pier by 2026.
To learn more about the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project, visit OBPierRenewal.com.
