The Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego, a longstanding fixture battered by recent high surf, is closed with damage that may keep it shuttered throughout early 2024. The pier, which has faced successive periods of closure since October, was further harmed over the New Year's weekend, as reported by KPBS. Waves between eight to 12 feet and up to 18 feet in sets pummeled the structure, causing additional deterioration.
"The cycle of damage and repairs for the Ocean Beach Pier has been an increasing challenge in recent years — and one that we cannot prevent," Rania Amen, director of the City of San Diego's Engineering and Capital Projects Department, said, as stated to KPBS. A task force has been convened to actively explore the possibility of replacing the pier—echoing a 2018 study that found ongoing structural problems and pointed to replacement as the most viable long-term solution.
Additional proof of nature's impact came via the National Weather Service San Diego, which issued a high surf warning, documenting waves to 15 feet at nearby beaches, as shared in an X post.
High surf through this weekend from 6-12 feet in Orange Cnty and 8-15 feet in San Diego Cnty. On Thursday, sets to 11 feet were reported at Huntington Beach in Orange Cnty, and to 15 feet at Imperial Beach and Sunset Cliffs in southern San Diego Cnty. #cawx pic.twitter.com/r1tGreUM25
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 28, 2023
Awaiting a potential overhaul, the pier has consumed $1.7 million in repairs lately, excluding staff costs and materials, according to Hoodline. The City Engineer's office is prepared to assess the pier's condition once the storm season allows it. Prospective design concepts for its future have been discussed in community workshops, with three preliminary concepts presented so far: the Squint Test, the Remora, and the Braid.
City officials have lined up $8.4 million in state funding and are seeking additional state and federal grants for the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. Assistant Director Elif Cetin told Hoodline, “We have spent months collaborating with San Diegans about what they would like to see if the current pier is replaced, and we are excited to share that preferred design with the community in 2024.”
