The Pacifica Municipal Pier, a popular coastal destination, is temporarily closing its doors to the public once again after winter storms dealt a heavy blow to its structure. The City of Pacifica is pushing full throttle on seeking extra help from state and federal agencies, as the damage has highlighted the need for the city's already under-way coastal defense plans to quickly become a reality.
Already on the rocks from a Dec. 28 high tide that forced its closure, the pier's fate just seems to keep waving in the wind. According to a City of Pacifica press release, an emergency safety assessment called for a partial re-opening on Feb. 14. Getting the pier shipshape could soak up to $19 million, and that's a bill the city aims to defray through grants. They're off to a start with a $963,000 boost courtesy of President Biden's signature on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.
“The time is now to begin implementing these projects with urgency, with needed funding support from our state and federal partners," proclaimed Pacifica City Manager Kevin Woodhouse. He stressed that community icons like the pier draw tens of thousands to the area, meaning that keeping them intact is key. From breaches in the Beach Boulevard seawall to the pier's repeated woes, it's clear that Pacifica's coast is taking more than a few hits from climate change.
The city isn't just standing still like a sitting duck. The Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project is high on the agenda, aiming to not only toughen up the seawall but also to widen the beach and potentially kick off a sand replenishment program. Pacifica hosted a virtual meeting on Feb. 22 to loop in locals, and over 100 community members jumped online to tune in. They're ready to roll out plans that would safeguard their homes, businesses, and recreational spots from the sea's grasp. With a construction cost pegged around $80 million and another $34 million slated for maintenance, including the sand program, it's no drop in the bucket, and the city is on the hunt for grants to help carry the financial load.
Pacifica's latest strategic plan, sprouted from the multi-year community think-tank Vision 2025 & Beyond, places climate change action front and center. Despite the progress, including the community's nod to Measure Y and economic growth tactics, the city knows it needs a steady flow of outside funds to pull off its coastal resilience dreams, as Woodhouse underlined the city’s dedication to "protecting our residents, businesses, and coastal infrastructure from the effects of climate change." Pacifica is now calling on its governmental brethren at all levels to shore up support for its sustainability crusade.
