The City has announced plans to replace the aging Ocean Beach Pier and that planning for the long-term project is to be led by a broad-based task force set to begin work soon.
“The City of San Diego is moving forward with a Capital Improvement Project to replace the Ocean Beach Pier,” said James Nagelvoort, director for the Strategic Capital Projects Department. “The pier was originally constructed in 1966 to provide fishing amenities and other services. Over the years, the pier has become a landmark for both the local community and the greater region, much more than a fishing pier.”
Added Nagelvoort: “Unfortunately, after 56 years of exposure to a harsh marine environment, the pier has reached the end of its useful life. As part of the effort to replace the pier, an Ocean Beach Pier Replacement Task Force has been organized to advise the City on the preferred project scope and program for a new Ocean Beach Pier.”
The OB Pier Replacement Task Force is a group of volunteer community members nominated by Ocean Beach advisory groups and appointed by the City. Specifically, the nominating advisory groups include Ocean Beach Planning Board, Ocean Beach Town Council, and Ocean Beach MainStreet Association. The Task Force also includes City staff from the Strategic Capital Projects Department as well as representatives from Council District 2 and the mayor’s offices. The task force will be supported by consultants and other City departments.
The mission of the OB Pier Replacement Task Force is to represent local interests and work to develop the preferred project scope and program that will be used to initiate design and environmental permitting for the replacement of the OB Pier. The task force is anticipated to kick off this fall, with their work continuing through winter 2023.
“The task force’s efforts will help move this project forward,” said Nagelvoort “Once the initial preferred project scope is developed, it will be used to initiate project design, both the CEQA and NEPA processes, grant applications for additional project funding, environmental permits, and additional community outreach. It is important to express that this is an initial effort to gather community input. Throughout the project design and environmental permitting phases, additional public outreach will be conducted.”
Photo by Jim Grant
