Council Set to Embark on Repairs for Historic Pier

After more than a year of haggling over the length, width and strength of the city’s beloved landmark, the City Council is set to approve plans tonight to move ahead with renovation of the storm-ravaged Ventura Pier.

If the estimated $2.1-million project is approved, planning would begin later this week and construction could be completed in June 1998.

The restoration project would be tackled in two phases: the first encompassing the overall strengthening and reinforcement of the pier, the second phase focusing on renovating the pier and extending it at least another 220 feet.

While the council plans to restore the original 420 feet swept away in a storm, the insurance money will only pay for about half that. City officials are hoping to use grants or state funds to cover the entire cost of the project.

The Ventura Pier was severely damaged by a storm in December 1995 that washed away the outermost end of the wooden structure. Since then, the pier hasn’t undergone any major renovation to repair what was lost.

Before construction begins, the city will conduct a series of studies to determine the most effective and cost-efficient manner of restoring and protecting the wooden expanse.

Pending approval, the city will begin the Phase 1 study this week to determine ways to reinforce the pier.

While the plan isn’t expected until mid-May, City Engineer Bob Zastrow said it will most likely recommend buttressing the wooden pier with steel supports.

Barring any unforeseen obstacles, Zastrow said construction would begin in July and be completed by the beginning of storm season in November.

Funding for the pier’s reinforcement would come from the $2.1-million insurance claim collected after the pier was damaged.

Zastrow cautioned that it is too early to put a price tag on the strengthening project, but the cost could run as high as $800,000.

Upon completion of the reinforcement, workers will begin extending the wooden structure.

The remaining $1.3 million of the insurance compensation would be used for the extension, according to an administrative report to the City Council. However, to extend the pier to its original 1,958 feet, the city would need to raise an additional $1.2 million, and that has some people concerned that the pier won’t be restored to its original length.

“We’re not unhappy about [the city] finally fixing the pier,” said Monty Clark, a member of Friends of the Pier. “All we’re asking is that we do everything we can to find the money to bring it back out past 1,900 feet. We can find the money to do that.”

Before the storm, Clark’s group had been raising money for the pier’s upkeep by selling planks to patrons. The group raised more than $500,000.

However, with the loss of 420 feet, more than 1,300 planks washed away and Clark wants them replaced so pier supporters can see their contribution.

“We can’t keep replacing the pier, so I’m very happy they’re going to repair it and make it stronger, but I don’t want to see our supporters disappointed,” he said. “We need to give these people their planks back.”

Although the council has called for the preliminary plans to include restoring the pier to its original length, funding might be hard to come by.

Public Works Director Ron Calkins said the city has been exploring several funding options including grants from organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Board and the state Resources Agency.

“After strengthening the pier, we’re going to go ahead and lengthen it as far as we can depending on how much money we have left,” he said. “But the city has every intention of restoring it to its original state.”