City to Take Bids on Pier Plaza Project

The City Council has given its staff approval to seek bids for construction of the $5-million Pier Plaza project.

Pier Plaza, at the entrance to the city pier at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, will include an open area, a grassy amphitheater, a “palm court” for special events, parking lots, a concession stand and public restrooms and showers.

Community Services Director Ron Hagan said $2 million of the $5 million needed for the project has been budgeted.

There are a number of proposals to cover the rest of the costs, he said, such as using money expected to be recovered from county bankruptcy proceedings and from litigation resulting from a 1990 oil spill.

If none of those alternatives were to materialize, he said, the city could issue bonds to finance the project.

Council members said they expect to award a construction contract in September. A final recommendation on funding will be submitted to the council at the same time.

Construction could begin by October, officials said, and the project could be completed by next summer. Duke’s Surf City, a new restaurant at the base of the pier, is to be completed about the same time.