Politics & Government

Commissioner Malcolm: Pier Repairs Promised By Summer

The repairs should be done in time for peak summer crowds, said Commissioner Dan Malcolm.

A delayed project to replace old planks of the Imperial Beach Pier will be finished by summer 2014, said Port of San Diego Commissioner Dan Malcolm.

"What I'm here to tell you is it's going to get done before the summer," Malcolm told the Imperial Beach City Council at a Dec. 4 meeting.

Replacement of about 1,200 Douglas Fir planks each weighing about 250 pounds started this spring and was scheduled to be finished in May but the contractor pulled out, Malcolm said. The Port of San Diego replaces pier planks and conducts regular maintenance every couple of years.

"You want to have an all new pier, especially with our new hotel, our new brewing company, our restaurants, our summer; people coming here, you know, you want to put your best foot forward and part of that is having our pier revitalized and improved," he said.

The delay in repairs is also a safety issue, Malcolm said. 

"When you have smooth boards next to rough boards there is some [safety] element there. I wouldn't overplay that aspect but it is a consideration," he said.

Malcolm was appointed to the commission by the Imperial Beach City Council in 2011. The entire port commission and staff see the repairs as important, not just Malcolm.

"From the senior staff level to the commissioners everyone expressed how important it is to get that job done," he said. "They all care and they all care about this project cause they know how important it is for IB."


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