Pier rehab moving along

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The state is moving forward with rehabilitation of the Malibu Pier, and Hayden Sohm, Malibu sector superintendent, said if work stays on the set timetable, he anticipates the total job could be completed between June and July 2002.

By that date, the state hopes to have the pier structure completely repaired, the buildings, both on the ocean end and on the PCH end, entirely renovated, the tenant improvements finished and a restaurant ready to move in at the location of the old Alice’s Restaurant site.

The exterior shell of the structures will look the same, but the insides, in many cases, are being completely gutted and rebuilt. A few pieces, like the old prep kitchen, which is across from Alice’s on the other side of the entrance to the pier, was so structurally deteriorated that the building itself couldn’t be saved. It will be torn down and replaced with a new building.

Because the Malibu Pier is a historical structure, the state archeologist is involved in its rehabilitation. When it is completed, it will look just as it did before the work began. However, it will be structurally sound and suitable for restaurants and other uses. The prep kitchen, for example, will be replaced with a new building of the same dimension and in the same style.

As of now, the state has yet to make a final decision on whether there will be one master concessionaire for the entire pier, or separate concessionaires. Sohm indicated the state is leaning toward a master concessionaire. Likewise, there are not yet any final decisions about what will be on the pier.

However, there will probably be a high dollar volume restaurant where Alice’s Restaurant used to be, a docking facility for a sports fishing boat, a bait and tackle type of shop on the pier, space for lifeguards, a cafe / food stand of sorts on the pier, as well as other outfits, depending on available space.

The pier has approximately 9,000 square feet available for rent, with 5,000 square feet on the land side and 4,000 square feet on the ocean side. Planners are also looking into parking alternatives, since there are only 85 parking spaces, which is inadequate to maximize the use of the pier.

The Malibu Pier is owned and operated by the State of California but the state, the County of Los Angeles, (which is contributing $2.9 million in bond act monies), and the City of Malibu, (which is putting in approximately $875,000 of Prop A grant money), are funding rehabilitation of the pier.

Permits will have to be obtained from the California Coastal Commission to operate the pier. Although neither the county nor the city have permit powers over the state, Sohm indicated the state will meet with both, and, if possible, try to comply with their permit standards anyway. The state also has an ongoing Planning Committee, which includes Malibu Planning Director Barry Hogin and Mark Ball, former president of the Chamber of Commerce. The principal conditions Hogin and Ball put on the county and city in granting money toward the project, was assurance the pier would be maintained, it would be economically viable (so it could be self-sustaining), and that $95,000 per year will be put into a sinking fund for major future repairs, in addition to the usual maintenance funds.

The repair process, to date, has had a bumpy history. Two contractors, operating as a joint venture, were originally chosen to complete Phase I of the repair, which is primarily the structural rehabilitation of the pier itself. The relationship between the two partners rapidly deteriorated, causing friction on the job site and frequent calls to the Sheriff’s Department and lifeguards to settle disputes.

The conflict was slowing work on the pier to the extent the state finally halted the project, which was about 70 percent completed, and pulled both contractors off the job, putting it out for rebid for a new contractor.

While going through the rebid process, the pier was partially reopened for fishing. Finally, an experienced marine facilities contractor was chosen to complete the job, and, on Aug. 7, work began on Phase II. It is anticipated that this phase will be completed by December 2000. Although there have been no major problems, lead paint and asbestos has been discovered on the job, which has slowed the process down somewhat since those materials are dangerous and require special handling.

The state expects to have a Request for Proposal for a master concessionaire out by early summer and one chosen by fall. Sohm indicated there has been a great deal of interest in the pier, particularly the old Alice’s Restaurant site.