Pismo Beach readies for pier reopening

Pismo Beach is getting ready to reopen its landmark pier after a multi-million dollar restoration project kept it closed to the public for more than a year.

The Pismo pier is the 16-th longest pier in California with a length of just over 1,200 feet.

The pier rehabilitation project began in March 2017 and included the upgrading of existing timber piles with steel piles, cleaning and re-coating existing steel piles and steel pile caps, replacing timber braces, decking, and handrails.

The Pismo pier is made up of approximately 382 timber piles and 115 steel piles with a deck area of 60,100 square feet and 2,840 feet of guard railing.

Total cost of the pier restoration is anticipated to be $8,782,275 which includes engineering costs, public art, contracting, and contingency funds.

Those we spoke with Friday say the Pismo Beach waterfront hasn’t been the same since the pier has been closed for the restoration.

“It’s not been the same experience in Pismo without the pier”, said local resident Ashley Lilly, “it’s a place to go, honestly it really is, Pismo Beach is a place to be and I’m so happy and grateful that it’s finally going to open next week.”

“It’s like being out in the ocean”, said local artist Chris Pedersen, “being a part of it, being able to see it up close versus from the beach and then even seeing it from above, being able to look down into the water.”

“It’s a nice addition to our walk”, said Orcutt resident Minnie Anderson, “you know, you get out over the water since we don’t get into the water, we get over it.”

Waterfront merchants say the pier reopening will help business in a variety of ways including tourism.

“I think so, if nothing else its going to open a little more parking which has always been an issue around here”, said Surf Pub owner Steve Norwood.

The city is planning a grand reopening ceremony of the pier to coincide with the start of the annual Pismo Clam festival which begins Friday, October 19.