Local News in Brief : Huntington Beach : Council Asks Staff to Check Pier Suggestion

Ella Christensen may have a week more to hope.

The 74-year-old proprietress of Neptune’s Locker, a pub on the Huntington Beach Pier, has suggested that the City Council consider shoring up support beams beneath the inland third of the downtown landmark so that portion could be reopened to the public.

The City Council voted to seek proposals from engineers to design a new pier, but also asked the city staff to examine the economic and safety aspects of pursuing Christensen’s idea. City officials have said they hope construction on a new pier will begin by May, 1989.

Christensen also owns two other shops--one that sells bait, another that offers sandwiches--on the 74-year-old pier. They were shut down when the pier was closed to the public July 13 by city officials, who said an engineering study found it to be structurally unsound and a danger to those who would walk on or beneath it.

City Administrator Paul E. Cook told the City Council that a report from the city staff on Christensen’s idea will be completed in about a week. Cost of the plan could be several thousand dollars, but Christensen said she will donate half of her profits toward rebuilding the pier if the city will reopen the first 50 or so yards--and pay her future electric bills.