Manhattan Beach : Pier Maintenance Shift

The state Parks and Recreation Department has asked the city to assume maintenance responsibilities for the aging city pier, City Manager David Thompson said this week.

Under the informal proposal, the city would take over custodial maintenance of the pier and assume any liability stemming directly from that maintenance, Thompson said. The state would give the city money for maintenance from parking meter revenue from state-owned beachfront lots, and would continue to assume all other liability, he said.

Thompson said the state will make a formal proposal to the city in coming weeks. The county Board of Supervisors voted last month to cancel its contract with the state to maintain the pier, citing the high liability costs associated with the pier.