Malibu Pier Project Gets County Aid

Hoping to avoid the sea of controversy swirling around repairs to the Malibu Pier, Los Angeles County officials have gingerly agreed to donate $3 million to help the state finish renovations.

Local leaders have attached some mooring-like strings to their gift, however.

Officials are mindful of the nasty feud between contractors over repairs to the pier, damaged by a 1995 storm. So the county is requiring state guarantees that fixes to the 95-year-old landmark are properly done and that a permanent maintenance plan is created.

State parks administrators say they will agree to the county’s terms.

The contribution, announced Monday by County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, whose district includes Malibu, will come from the Proposition A “Save Neighborhood Parks” bond issue approved by county voters in 1992.

The state’s Department of Parks and Recreation owns the pier and is in the middle of a repair project that is expected to cost more than $5 million, including the county funds. The pier, with tower-like twin clapboard buildings at the end and Alice’s Restaurant at the front, was declared unsafe and closed after being battered by a 1995 storm.

Officials debated whether to tear down the 780-foot structure before deciding in 1999 to repair it. But the two partners who worked on the first portions of the job soon had a falling-out.

The duo argued over specifications, selection of subcontractors, and the quality of materials and workmanship before builder Bruce Darian began secretly taping conversations with partner Ron Federico.

Darian obtained a restraining order against Federico after going to court with recordings that allegedly contained a warning from his partner that “you’re going to end up on the ocean floor with cement boots on.”

Later, Darian was arrested and jailed 30 hours for vandalism after Federico complained that he had spray-painted Xs on replacement pier pilings that Darian alleged were substandard.

Federico, a Lakeview Terrace contractor, has denied threatening Darian. But Darian, of Hermosa Beach, has filed a federal complaint alleging conspiracy, racketeering and “retaliation against a whistle-blower” against his former partner and others--including the state parks agency.

County officials indicated they were prepared in 2000 to give the state the $2.9-million allocation, which will be accompanied by a $700,000 Proposition A disbursement through the city of Malibu.

But “certain provisions” have changed since then and “it is prudent for the county to require the state to perform certain obligations that are beyond the standard terms of a Proposition A grant,” according to Stan Wisniewski, director of the county’s Department of Beaches and Harbors.

Along with the repair and maintenance requirements, the county will require that the state spend its own money first on the pier project before dipping into the Proposition A funds. The state also must provide free space for county lifeguards on the pier.

Hayden Sohm, Malibu area superintendent for the state Department of Parks and Recreation, said he understands the county’s concerns.

“They had a concern in terms of confidence. We brought in our architects and planners and made clear they understand our vision and where we’re going,” he said Monday.