Photo: Photographed by Henryk Kotowski (Wiki Commons)
The Port of San Diego has set its sights on making the pier in Imperial Beach, the best on the West Coast by 2024, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“We want to make this the best pier on the West Coast and that’s really not hyperbole. That is really what we’re trying to do here,” Port Chairman Dan Malcolm told the Imperial Beach City Council on January 19.
The wood-plank pier was built in 1963 and is a popular destination for beachgoers and surfers since it covers the entire surf zone. It also attracts fishermen who say they can catch the best fish in the area from the pier like yellowtail and thresher sharks.
The Port is looking to bring more foot traffic to the area through a series of enhancement projects near the beach area and other areas on the pier.
According to the Union-Tribune, the main attraction is a three-dimensional canopy that will offer a "beneath the waves" perspective like surfers have before emerging from the water.
These improvements are expected to cost $3.9 million in total, with the beach area project costing the most at $2.29 million, according to the Port.
Malcolm also believes the pier will not be closed to the public during construction, which is scheduled to start at the end of this year and be completed by 2024.