After more than five years of closure, a repair plan is in place for the Avila Beach Pier. The project cleared a major hurdle by getting a permit from the California Coastal Commission.
In 2015, whales swimming in the Avila Beach harbor drew a large crowd of people on the pier. That’s when someone from the Harbor District noticed something strange going on.
“The pier started swaying to the point where there was quite a bit of safety concern," Harbor Facilities Manager Chris Munson said. "Knowing this, they made the decision out of an abundance of caution to shut down the pier at the time.”
Ever since, the district has been working on plans and getting funding to one day have the pier reopen to visitors. Now, that dream is closer to becoming a reality.
“The Coastal Development permit for the Avila Pier was one of the last remaining items that we needed to cross off our list before we could start looking at hiring consultants and contractors,” Munson said.
Repairs on the pier will now begin early next year, but that also depends on a number of variables such as storms, swells and the material and labor shortages brought on from the pandemic.
Munson said they could also use more funding.
“We need an estimate of $3 to $4.5 million, of which we only have about $2 million," Munson said. " But our hope is to get a little bit more money so we can get a contractor to help speed up the project and get it open sooner than later.”
Since the pier has been closed for several years, and birds have made it their home. A biologist will be surveying the area for wildlife before any construction begins.
While there is no deadline for when the pier may reopen, the goal is to remove the “Pier Closed” sign and fencing sometime in the year 2022.
