Let’s start with the good news: for the first time in more than two pandemic-dominated years, books are back in business at the Ocean Beach Library. The doors have reopened at the historic 1928 building at 4801 Santa Monica Ave. for browsing, borrowing, computer use, and child craft kits.
Now the bad news: what had previously been the “annual” Fourth of July fireworks celebration off the Ocean Beach Pier will be extinguished – for the third year in a row. And the prospect of the event returning is uncertain at best.
Those were the two biggest nuggets to emerge on May 25 at the monthly meeting of the Ocean Beach Town Council, the go-to event for citizens who want to catch the latest from officials representing office holders, police, lifeguards, schools, and neighborhood movers and shakers.
The occasion marked a return to live, in-person meetings at the Point Loma Masonic Lodge 620, the long-time home base of the OBTC, which had been holding online-only meetings for more than a year. (Live and archived viewing are also available at facebook.com/obtowncouncil.)
Independence Day fireworks
The Ocean Beach Pier has long been a nifty spot to stage and set off fireworks, but no more, said Denny Knox of the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA).
With temporary repairs that began in January still underway, the pier is in no shape to tolerate the trucks and activity necessary, she said.
“We don’t want to be responsible for (the pier) crumbling into the ocean,” Knox said.
Planning for the fireworks display normally starts in November of the previous year, with permit applications and fundraising for the $35,000 pyrotechnic contract, said Knox, contacted by phone after the meeting. With all indications from City Hall less than encouraging, the OBMA made the decision to save $3,000 and not pursue a permit.
“The mayor’s office was negative,” she said. “If it’s iffy at all, we can’t take that risk.”
There doesn’t seem to be a suitable alternative location due to proximity to buildings and homes, Knox said. Last year, when the fireworks were also canceled due to pier vulnerabilities, the OBMA briefly flirted with the idea of a barge, but it was quickly ruled out because of the requirement of calm waters and additional costs.
“They’d have to tow that barge from the bay all the way around, and it’s much more expensive,” she said.
With the future of the pier itself in doubt, the fireworks tradition could be collateral damage. A City-funded report in 2019 concluded the pier had “reached the end of its service life.” The City is considering a long-term solution, which could involve a major rehabilitation at an estimated cost of up to $50 million, or a complete tear-down-and-rebuild for considerably more.
“I think we’re going to have to wait till the pier is replaced. That’s a long way down the road. I don’t have any other answer. Maybe we’ll get creative and get some other idea,” Knox said.
OB Library opening
It won’t be back to its traditional six-days-a-week schedule just yet, but the library celebrated its soft opening May 16, said head librarian Christy Rickey Meister.
The schedule is 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hours will resume Fridays and Saturdays when staffing allows, she said.
Ocean Beach joins Clairemont as the last two locations to reopen after the pandemic forced the closure of the central library and all 36 city branches in March of 2020.
During this ease-in period, don’t expect programming on par with the Point Loma branch – which is offering 25 events throughout June, including Monday night movies, crafting, performing arts activities, chess, and the “Hullabaloo Music Show.”
“We’ll probably start with something simple, like storytime,” she said.
Rickey Meister said she wants to take a good look at programming and “revamp what we’re doing.” She can be reached at [email protected].
In other news
OBMA is seeking volunteers to do four-hour shifts at the June 25 Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-off, which returns to its “full-scale version” this year, Knox said. More information is available at oceanbeachsandiego.com.
