The Malibu Pier was the main focus at the Business Roundtable Study Group meeting Friday.
Hayden Sohm, superintendent for the Malibu Sector of the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, reported the current status of the construction projects on the Malibu Pier.
“The bidding period for Phase 2 ended recently,” he reported.
The Roundtable is a group of business people who get together once a month to improve, overall, Malibu businesses and economic vitality through the cooperation of various city, business and community organizations.
According to Sohm, the pier should be completely remodeled, hopefully, by late Spring 2002. The bids for Phase 2 were recently opened and Meek Construction was approved to do the work, which is expected to begin in approximately two weeks. The construction company that won the $1.2 million contract has past experience with marine environment construction and it has successfully done similar work in the past, said Sohm.
Sohm said the 710 foot-long pier is currently open and available for public use while Phase 2 is in progress. However, intermittent closures may occur to accommodate the construction when necessary.
Phase 2 will include the completion of Phase I, which was not finished by the initial contractors. The state cut short the contractors work because of friction between the joint venture partners. The completion will include the replacement of pilings and bent caps. Other Phase 2 work will comprise the main stem of the pier, deck replacement and work to be done beneath the buildings at the end of the pier, as well as the completion of the railing and light fixtures. It will also include provisions to address the sewer system so impact to the environment is minimized. The food preparation building, adjacent to the former Alice’s Restaurant, will be torn down in Phase 2.
Cost issues involve hazardous materials because lead paint still exists on the pier.
The parking issue is still being debated because there is a concern about a shortage of spaces. Suggestions to lease a vacant lot across the street from the pier and making arrangements to use the Malibu Lagoon parking lot have been made by the Roundtable.
Phase 3 is expected to start in late Spring, 2001. The goal of Phase 3 is to work on the buildings so they can accommodate concessions. These concessions will be made available to bidders early next year, if the construction deadlines are met.
So far it appears that restaurants, sport fishing and other like businesses are what the public wishes to see on the pier.
A meeting for public input from potential stakeholders will take place Aug. 17, at 9:30 a.m. at Duke’s Restaurant.
Business and private interests are encouraged to attend, said Sohm.
New city manager tackles tasks
Marilyn Leuck, newly appointed city manager for Malibu, came to meet the Roundtable members. She answered questions about septic tank standards in recently introduced AB 885.
“Everyone agrees there needs to be standards,” “but the details still need to be worked out,” she said, referring to the bill making its way through the legislature.
“In a sense, Malibu is the smallest city I have managed with the largest problems,” she said jokingly.
Leuck said she has always worked in coastal cities; therefore, she is familiar with coastal city problems. She plans to stay and work for the City of Malibu for the next eight to 10 years, until she can retire.
Mary Lou Blackwood, Chamber of Commerce director, brought up an issue about the availability of city inspectors. She said the inspectors are often not available when someone comes to City Hall looking for their help. Blackwood suggested that a schedule be posted so people know when they will be at City Hall.
The Roundtable adjourned the meeting to the first Friday of September.