SEAL BEACH : Pier to Close a Week in Spring for Repairs

The city will close the pier for about a week this spring to repair damage caused by a fire last year, but officials hope to complete the work before the start of the busy summer tourist season.

The City Council this week authorized the second phase of pier repairs, estimated to cost $100,000. Seal Beach will spend an additional $30,000 for additional improvements and to repair damage caused by the 1992 Landers earthquake.

The past dozen years have been difficult for the landmark pier, which was built in 1906.

In 1983, waves generated by a fierce winter storm severely damaged the midsection of the pier. In 1992, a fire sparked by electrical wires in a lifeguard tower caused major damage to the pier. Last May, a natural gas line under the pier was ignited by falling barbecue coals, causing about $350,000 in damage.

The pier reopened in July after the first phase of repairs was completed.

Seal Beach Mayor George Brown said the pier will probably be closed for about a week in May, although bids for the repair work are still being received. The repairs will temporarily close Ruby’s restaurant and a fishing-boat excursion business at the end of the pier.

The city is also trying to clean up the pier by urging visitors not to feed the growing number of pigeons that have rendered benches unusable and turned drinking fountains into bird baths. Signs were recently posted warning that feeding pigeons at the pier is prohibited by city ordinance.

“I appreciate that there are people who like to feed the pigeons there,” Brown said. “I also appreciate that they make a mess.”