Pacifica Pier News

For the past 30 years, Pacifica’s pier has been among the city’s most popular attractions, drawing hundreds of visitors daily. People say the pier is so crowded with fishermen on weekends that they’re forced to stand shoulder to shoulder.

But the years and the elements have taken their toll on the popular pier. Its floor is scarred and cracked, and its railings are decaying. Add to that the sewer line the pier originally was built to support has been removed — a line replaced by Pacifica’s new waste-water treatment plant — and it’s no wonder the pier’s admirers are worried about the structure’s future.

“The pier is falling into the sea,” says Anna Boothe, chairwoman of Preserve Our Pier Supporters (POPS), a community group. “Something has to be done.”

This sentiment is widely shared. State Sen. Jackie Speier applied for and received $ 500,000 in state aid for pier repairs, as well as $ 90,000 in federal grants. The city held a party Friday to celebrate the achievement.

Although acquiring these funds is cause for celebration in town, the total cost of refurbishing the pier is far from covered. According to a 1998 study by Kermani Consulting Group, repairs to the pier could total between $ 3 million and $ 5 million.

But those who really love the pier have set their minds to raising the money and making sure it’s put to good use. Boothe, the POPS leader, says the group is committed to planning events such as concerts to raise money and awareness.

The group’s initial efforts netted $ 525, which they promptly donated to the city for use on the pier. Boothe says she hopes the city will paint the concessions building and the bathroom.

“We want to augment the value by making the pier pleasant,” she said.

Perhaps the most outspoken proponent of the pier is Andy Pappas, a 70-year-old fisherman who spends nearly every day of his life there. His prowess at netting crabs has become legendary, as attested to by other fishermen as well as photographs taped to the side of the concessions building.

Turning his weather-worn face into the wind, Pappas gazes lovingly at the pier.

“Not only is the pier beautiful to fish from, but you can also see wildlife,” he said, pointing at a flock of pigeons flying in formation in the distance.

“I like the fresh air, the smell of the beautiful ocean, the friends, the barbecues and mainly the beautiful salmon,” he said. Strolling down the pier toward his two fishing poles, Pappas greets nearly everyone he passes, his eyes crinkling beneath his blue Pacifica Pier cap.

“What we’re trying to do is to keep the pier open, but in order to do that we need more bucks,” he said. “If there’s someone out there that can help us, I, Andy Pappas, will personally thank them.”

Pacifica, meanwhile, has applied for an additional $ 620,000 from the state Department of Boating and Waterways and plans to contribute $ 207,000 in matching funds.

That’s still not enough, but they’re working on it. The city council will discuss how to spend the funds in hand at its meeting Monday night. Public comments are encouraged, said Diane Ceravolo, acting city manager.

For more information or to get involved with POPS, contact Boothe at (650) 557-9097.

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JOURNAL-CODE: SJ

LOAD-DATE: August 29, 2000

Copyright 2000 Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Copyright 2000 San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
August 28, 2000, Monday
KR-ACC-NO: SJ-PIER

LENGTH: 564 words

HEADLINE: Pacifica, Calif., Ocean Pier Needs Millions of Dollars in Repairs

BYLINE: By Steven Raphael

BODY: