Cayucos pier repair gets green light from supervisors 

After being deemed unsafe and closed to the public, the idyllic Cayucos pier has stood quietly over the sea while its friends and fans have been busy raising money and gathering support on its behalf.

The pier was closed last summer after a number of structural deficiencies were found in its pillars and planks. Repair, which includes tearing down and rebuilding a large seaward section, was deemed to be a costly endeavor, sparking a large fundraising effort with benefit concerts and private donations. Now, after securing funding from multiple other sources—including county parks and general services and state agencies—the restoration will be reality.

After a quick vote from the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16, the first phase is underway with a $1.7 million contract awarded to Morro Bay-based Associated Pacific Constructors Inc. The construction is scheduled to begin in October and to be completed in May 2015.

The entire reconstruction, including both emergency stabilization and pier restoration, will cost $4 million. The Sept. 16 staff report lauded the efforts that got the project off the ground: “The project is the culmination of an aggressive effort by the county to be granted all required environmental permits and secure significant grant funding from several key state agencies. It is a shining example of an intense community-wide effort by an informal group of citizens from Cayucos to collect over $500,000 in private donations to ‘Save Cayucos Pier.’ Upon completion of construction in 2015, the Cayucos community will once again welcome all local visitors and tourists to enjoy the restored Cayucos Pier for many years to come.”

-- Melody DeMeritt - former city council member, Morro Bay