SEAL BEACH : City’s Pier to Reopen on Saturday

The city’s 89-year-old pier, ravaged by two fires and an earthquake, has been repaired and will reopen Saturday, the first time in three years that the tourist attraction has been free from damage.

“Actually, we are hoping the month of May goes quickly,” said Andy Seymour, parks and recreation director. “Both of the fires happened in the month of May.”

In May, 1992, an electrical fire burned part of the pier. The next month, several pier pilings were damaged by the Landers earthquake. In May, 1994, falling barbecue coals ignited a natural gas line at the pier, causing about $350,000 in damage.

The 1,865-foot pier was closed until July of last year, when the first phase of repairs was completed. The pier was closed last month for completion of the repairs, forcing a sportfishing business and Ruby’s restaurant near the end of the pier to shut down too. The restaurant’s interior was remodeled during the closure.

The final phase of pier repairs cost about $200,000, including installation of a new natural gas line and the replacement of several pilings.

Although city officials foresee no additional pier closings, the council will consider funding repairs to the cement wall along the outside of the pier pilings, known as the “groin.”

City officials say the 36-year-old wall has prevented sand erosion, but they also concede that it blocks the circulation of water in the city’s most popular surfing spot.