VENTURA : City to Assume Pier Ownership

The Ventura City Council on Monday is expected to take ownership of the Ventura Pier, the longest wooden pier in California.

The transfer is in accordance with a 1990 agreement with the state, which stated the city would assume ownership of the 121-year-old pier after it spent $1 million to renovate the landmark.

The state Department of Parks and Recreation, which owns the pier, considered demolishing it several years ago because maintenance was too expensive.

City officials, who have been trying to revive the downtown area near the pier, agreed to take over the pier in exchange for some state grants to renovate the storm-battered landmark.

The renovation is expected to be finished this year, and the entire above-water portion of the 1,958-foot pier will be replaced. A new snack shop, bait and fish-cleaning facilities will also be added.