After being closed for more than 10 years, Malibu’s pier is finally scheduled to reopen in September.
By Rosy Banks
Staff Writer
Tobin Lankford can remember when he was 6 years old and his dad would take him fishing off the edge of the Malibu pier. When it closed, those father-son excursions to the pier ended as well. Now the reopening will attempt to bring back some oceanside activities to residents and those who want to experience the beauty of the sea from a renovated pier.
However, the long-planned restoration has not gone smoothly, to the dismay of many local residents.
“It’s taken way too long,” said Lankford, now the manager of The Spot Surf Shop. “Once it finally opens, though, it will bring a lot of traffic and be good for business.”
Business owners are growing anxious for the reopening, which will restore the renowned getaway for residents and may attract tourists to Malibu.
The reopening was originally set for June 2003, but setbacks have caused the operation to be delayed until September.
Zuma Jay’s, a local surf shop, is especially eager for the kickoff, since it will be one of the few businesses opening up a location directly on the pier.
“There have been a lot of contractual issues between the state and partners and subcontractors,” said Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, owner of Zuma Jay’s Surf Shop. “The delay has been frustrating and disappointing, but I have no regrets and I don’t point any fingers. We all want to see it open but people don’t realize it is a 20-year commitment so everything must be perfect.”
“Perfect” for Wagner translates to hiring lawyers who must create and negotiate the final legal documentation. This process has taken much longer than planned.
“There are so many lawyers in this … a beer that should cost two bucks is now going to cost three,” Wagner said.
California State Parks originally initiated the renovation of the pier, but it wasn’t until it secured Wagner as an operator that it began work on the extensive project.
Although it is not fully operational, residents can enjoy the meager beginnings of what the pier will eventually become. Malibu Pier has a temporary restaurant open, along with whale watching and fishing. In May, fishing boats are expected to be available for rent to the public.
However, Wagner said his business will only begin to see benefits when the pier is fully operational.
“(Zuma) Jay’s hard work will finally pay off,” Zuma Jay’s Manager Sam Bennett said. “The pier will become a nice place to go and hang out … once it finally opens. But right now, the exact time of opening is still speculation.”
The restored Malibu Pier will house shops on its deck and create new visitor facilities with opportunities for fishing, shopping and other recreation.
Shut down in the early 1990s, the pier was declared unsafe after several storms caused erosion damage on the pilings that supported the foundation.
Now there are 200 supports being probed, measured and repaired for the restoration project.
Accommodating four historic sites, the seaward end houses a building and tower, and the near land end includes two structures that originally functioned as restaurants. Now the plan is to restore shops and classic Alice’s restaurant to the original blue and white seaside theme.
Other vendors, residents and tourists eagerly await its opening at the end of this summer, when once again it will be possible to take a stroll, throw in a fishing line, or have a bite to eat along Malibu’s pier.
Submitted March 25, 2004