Officials hope to reopen Ocean Beach Pier by Memorial Day weekend

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – It’s one of the most important icons in the city of San Diego, now the O.B. Pier is under construction and should be reopened by the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day.

“This is a landmark. This pier represents who we are as a community. Generations of people have memories of this pier and we need to make sure it’s open for future generations,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

The pier was ripped apart during a powerful winter storm with 15-foot waves. Not only the railings and benches, but water, sewer and electric lines were torn apart.

“Today is day one of the project to rebuild and it should be open for the busy summer season,” said Johnnie Perkins, Deputy Chief Operations Officer.

But this will be a “two-part” fix. Short term and long term.

“I can’t stress enough how important this is. We have hired engineers to look at the long term strength of the pier, it won’t happen overnight, but it needs to happen,” said Mayor Faulconer.

Until then, the short term fix will cost taxpayers about $430,000. Some would says that’s a small investment, considering the importance of the “longest concrete pier on the West Coast.”

Be on the lookout for colorful balloons and a fancy ribbon cutting on Memorial Day.