VENTURA : City Amends Lease of Pier Restaurateur

Ventura officials have amended a lease with a merchant who agreed to open a restaurant on the Ventura Pier before it was damaged.

The City Council allowed Eric Wachter, who plans to begin building a seafood restaurant at the base of the pier later this year, some financial protection should the wooden wharf receive more storm damage in the future.

Badly damaged in a series of storms that pounded the city earlier this year, the pier was opened last weekend after being closed for more than two months for repair work to its pilings.

Under terms of the agreement amended Monday, the city has six months to complete repairs to the pier following any more storm damage. During those six months, Wachter would not have to pay rent on the facility if customers could not reach the building.

The pier restaurant is considered crucial to the success of the city’s goal of attracting more visitors to its downtown.

Wachter, who owns Eric Ericsson’s Fish Co. in Ventura, can terminate his lease upon a 15-day notice if the city would decide that future damage has left the pier beyond repair.