San Diego city officials over the weekend unveiled the final design concept for the replacement of the iconic but beleaguered Ocean Beach Pier.
The proposed concept from Moffatt & Nichol Design, which was revealed at the Liberty Station Conference Center Saturday, includes iconic elements from the existing pier combined with some modern touches.
"Our pier is featuring a lot more open space for people to be able to use," Senior civil engineer Elizabeth Schroth-Nichols said.
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"The pier will be about as long as the existing pier. We are maintaining the same length and general shape. We are adding some iconic new features like an elevated walkway that people can utilize. We are including some retail experience and an island," Schroth-Nichols said.
The proposed design includes more areas for lingering, including what designers are calling a surfers lounge, the "Infinity Plaza" at the end of the pier and "The Island," which includes a gift shop, cafe and restaurant.
The Ocean Beach Pier has been battered by high surf for decades and a 2018 study determined that replace the pier would be the best option. The new pier would be built over the same footprint as its predecessor but with a higher deck elevation to minimize potential wave damage, which was the 58-year-old pier's downfall.
During the meeting, which was the fifth and final public session held over 18 months, city officials and project leaders offered a short presentation, interactive stations and a video display. Public comments on the design were also allowed.
San Diego resident Shane Finneran, who was at the meeting, was happy with the design.
"This new version, this new plan, it's got a lot more going on, a lot more, you know, seating, a lot more architectural interests. So, I think this new pier would be even more of an attraction than the former one was," Finneran said.
A final decision still has not yet been made on whether the city will demolish the pier. The city would still need to secure environmental permits and upwards of $170 million, which could take years before construction work can even begin.
"We anticipate that that funding is going to come from a multitude of different sources, Schroth-Nichols said. "We are currently researching grant opportunities. There may be some state and federal funds that are part of this, and we're also exploring potential use of public-private partnerships."
The pier will remain closed to the public in the meantime.
Why is the OB Pier being replaced?
The city confirmed in August that it was no longer working toward repairing the pier and instead was looking at replacement options.
Signs had pointed to the decision for months, although no final call had been made up until that point. In January, the city posted a notice on the pier hinting at the possibility of demolition. And design concepts were shown to community members in April showing the proposed replacement pier.
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Even as far back as 2018, the outcome seemed inevitable. A study released that year determined the pier was beyond its useful life and recommended the city pursue a replacement.
In the report released in August, the city confirmed repairing the damaged Ocean Beach Pier was no longer feasible. The 58-year-old pier has been closed since it was damaged by high surf in October 2023. Further damage occurred last December when a pylon broke off and fell into the ocean.
"Engineering teams have determined that any work to rehabilitate the pier is not feasible, especially given the likelihood of additional damage occurring during future winter storms," officials said in a statement.
The safest and most cost-effective option for the Ocean Beach Pier is to keep the structure closed to public access while the city moves forward with a long-term solution to replace the pier, the city said.
"The Ocean Beach Pier is an iconic landmark of San Diego, but it was built nearly six decades ago and no longer can withstand the impacts of rising sea levels and storm surge along our coast," Assistant Director of the Engineering and Capital Projects Department Elif Cetin was quoted as saying in August.. "The decision on how to proceed factors in the likelihood that future storms will cause additional damage to the pier in coming years and whether it makes sense to pour resources into a structure that will continue to need extensive repairs or to instead invest in the long-term pier-replacement project."
At the time of the 2018 study, minimal repairs would have cost about $8 million, and rehabilitation would have cost about $30 million to $50 million. Since that 2018 study was conducted, the pier damage and construction repair costs have significantly increased, further bolstering the case for replacement, according to the city.
While the pier does not pose an immediate threat to public safety, additional signs have been posted reminding visitors to be cautious when visiting the area, the city report said.
The San Diego Municipal Code states it is against the law for anyone to swim, wade, surf or skin dive within 75 feet of any fishing pier owned or operated by the city.
