The Flagler Beach pier has had so many facelifts it could be renamed the Joan Rivers Memorial Planks. The question is: should the old and rickety and yet-again-lobotomized structure be repaired at a potential cost of $650,000 and reopened one more time, even though it’s slated for demolition in less than a year?
The Flagler Beach City Commission wrestled with that dilemma Thursday evening, now that Hurricane Ian left the pier in pieces and again closed to the public indefinitely. Divers completed their examination of the structure this week. They’ve turned over their findings to engineers, who are evaluating the structure’s damage and soundness.
At least one of the commission’s members favors walling off the pier now, until the new one is built. But after hearing a list of options from City Manager William Whitson, the commission decided to delay a decision pending the final results of engineers’ evaluation. They are likely to discuss the matter at their next meeting on Oct. 27, when it will be an agenda item, enabling the public to weigh in.
Construction on a new, concrete pier will potentially begin next summer, City Manager William Whitson says. By then the wooden pier would be demolished or be close to being demolished. So Flagler Beach will be without a pier for at least two years regardless.
The city commission is wrestling with several questions: Is it worth reopening the pier for a few months until next spring or summer? Is it worth repairing the pier, possibly for hundreds of thousands of dollars, if engineers declare it unsafe otherwise? Repairs after Hurricane Matthew cost nearly $1 million, and that was without restoring the 165-foot section of pier lost to the storm.
Is it much of a pier anyway, now that it’s lost yet another 165 feet? Is the revenue it generates when open–Whitson says there’s been $3,000 days– enough to balance out the costs of reopening it?
The design of the new pier was set to begin just before the hurricane struck, Whitson said. That’s rescheduled to Oct. 20. Survey teams are already at work. The design will take six to eight months, he said. The project will then be put out to bid. “So nothing will actually start happening in terms of construction of the new pier until well into the summer of next year,” Whitson said. “So we have a lot of time yet. So the question before the commission is–do you want to take away the pier cold turkey? Or do you want to go through a conversation with the public, open up the pier if it’s safe?”
If the pier were to be re-opened, it might not be for more than six to eight months, assuming the pier is considered safe. The easternmost 150 feet would be blocked off.
If the pier needs repairs, it’s a different issue. “The the preliminary estimate to do a complete stabilization–the way we did in Matthew–after the last disaster is about $650,000. That was a preliminary estimate, that was without the dive team assessment. Maybe it’s less, maybe it’s more. I don’t know.”
There’s also the option of just leaving it closed and demolishing it. But even then, there’s a permitting process to go through, Whitson said.
Additional caveats: the city has pre-sold the equivalent of $14,000 to $18,000 in pier passes. Those would have to be refunded–and the pass holders found. The pier, where admission is charged to walk on or to fish, was “killing it” before the storm. “We were having $2,000 and $3,000 days,” Whitson said. But he made his preference known.
But both the mayor and some commissioners object to refunds. “If you sell a pier pass, you say if the pier falls into the ocean, sorry,” Mayor Suzie Johnston said. Commissioner Eric Cooley said that in any case the demolition of the pier had been scheduled for this winter, when passes would have been invalidated anyway.
“The best thing for us to do is use this time wisely, work with the design engineer, there’s no rush to take it down,” Whitson said. “And we can let the community utilize the asset until it’s time to start the construction.”
Commissioner James Sherman is more on the side of closing the pier unless it were to make up the money that’s been lost or even profit. “It’s a business decision we have to make and, I think it’s a responsibility we owe to our taxpayers,” he said, even if it means laying off pier staff.
Last year, the pier had total revenue of $471,000. Salaries alone cost $153,000. According to this year’s budget, the pier was expected to generate $434,000, not including $831,000 in federal reimbursements for repairs. Ticket sales last year generated $210,000. The bait shop generated $105,000. Pier rentals generated another $130,000. But every day the pier is closed lowers expected revenue.
“My personal opinion,” Sherman said, is to “put a temp wall up and then put a door on there,” and turn the wall into a mural.
Commissioners agreed only to ensure that the item once the commission makes a decision “will be posted, it will be attended,” so the public can speak its mind.
“I’d like to wait until we have all the information and then we can discuss something solid,” Commissioner Jane Mealy said. Commission Chairman Ken Bryan wanted a unified message issued to the public, but what that message may be remains unclear beyond what Whitson described as a working fact sheet. It was later published on the city’s website, and appears below.
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Randy Bentwick says
If they spend 650K to repair a pier that is going to be torn down next year they are bigger idiots than I thought.
Ellen Bendana says
AGREE!!!! Maybe they can speed up the demolition and building of new pier…
mm says
haha, it’s only money.
The Pier had a great run, but... says
Dont waste another dime, it had a good run but the pier was gone long before this storm, already slated for demolition. Dont pay that money for a few more months, thats crazy Talk. Other crazy talk is the Mayors words. Everybody gets their pass money back, as you no longer can provide a service! Coulda/Woulda/Shoulda shored it up before the storm but you didnt, so its on you to return everybody’s money you probably already spent, Sorry.
tom dooley says
I agree. Tear it down. Anybody seen the cost of concrete lately thanks to Jobama? The cost of oil? The cost of labor? How’s that 8.5% going to help you retiree’s? Are we better off now than before Jobama? Vote accordingly Nov. 8th,2022!!!
Denali says
Add another to the list of those with no knowledge of how our economy functions. How about providing some facts to document your nonsensical statements . . . Otherwise quit perpetuating the lies and false claims.
Yes, please vote accordingly – vote for those who believe in the truth, facts and not the fantastical claims of a fraudulent election.
tom dooley says
You want facts guess you don’t know anything about construction materials? Guess you don’t shop or buy gas? Thank god we have a Republican state now. I see most people are smart.
Brian Riehle says
Hope they invite Mother Nature and the Atlantic Ocean to the meeting on Oct. 27 and get some feedback and information that really matters.
JustBeNice says
No brainer there. Tear it down earlier rather than pay for repair and then tear it down.
Jimbo99 says
It’s really as simple as whether the revenues offset the costs of repair even for short term. If that never happens, the pier will be demolished & rebuilt in 2023 and this should not be additional cost to the taxpayers. If $ 100K fireworks show for July 4th was unaffordable for the money it generated for Summer of 2022, this $ 650K should not be spent either.
And it’s just my stance at this point, Ian was a tropical storm passing offshore by Flagler Beach, between the pier being destroyed & the beach erosion, the $ 12.5 million for a pier in the same location is foolish expenditure to rebuild. Going thru with a pier rebuild as Flagler Beach is flooded & FEMA disaster teams haven’t even gotten the ball rolling with that. One would have to question the sanity & competence of the Government approving & going thru with these projects. When one builds a foundation for any structure, they don’t ignore the weaknesses of what the foundation is based upon and then idiotically try to repair the foundation after building those structures.
Any construction/engineering firm that does that is no better than the morons that were involved in the Holland Park Splash Pad. We all see how that turned out. And here we are, $ 114K to build yet another sports facility, when Indian Trails is grossly underutilized for sports tournaments that nobody is booking anyway for that sports complex. Let’s see the numbers on the soccer fields vs baseball fields for Indian Trails ? Does Indian Trails even generate enough interest & revenues to continue to exist, or is it like the Swim Clubs & facilities that are nothing more than the boondoggles of Flagler County ?
Just me, the only noteworthy news Indian Trails has made in 3 years, was the Mom & her children that beat up a bully that was harassing one of her children at FPCHS. That became a criminal case that was most likely dropped after the investigation revealed the stupidity behind victims ganging up on a bully and the bully getting a fitting punishment when the experts & administrators didn’t do their jobs to correct the real problem there. That incident & others, like a few arrests for drug deals are the biggest news items for Indian Trails Sports complex. with the drive by shootings in Bunnell, Flagler County scaled attempt to become Chicago, IL.
Robert says
It’s seems obvious that the people for making the decisions don’t have much business acumen. If what remains of the pier is safe reopen it and wall off the further reaches of the damaged portion. If it’s found to be unsafe in its entirety, shut it down and commence demolition immediately. No refunds on passes, give those that have passes a rain check when the new pier reopens. Save the$650,000.00 to repair a pier going into the trash heap in less than a year.
The problem is the city has had no forsite, plans of replacing the pier should have started in the 90’s after the damage by hurricane Floyd!
But no they kept choosing to kick the can down the road.
Well the moment of truth has arrived! Wise decisions have to be made, not throwing good money after bad. We all knew this day would come eventually, so either it’s now or later, but the fishermen that frequent the pier will be unconvinced for a time, wheather it was back in the 90’s or in 2017-18 or today! Well it looks like it’s today, no further delay in the inevitable shout even enter into consideration. It’s just like a tooth ache, you either address it immediately or push it off to later, the inevitable is the tooth has to come out. Better address it now, and save future pain. God knows the issue with the pier should have been addressed 2 1/2 decades ago, now just like the bad tooth it has become infected causing even more pain, and making the procedure more difficult.
It’s time to bite the bullet!
Start demolition as soon after the public has had their say, accelerate the design phase , and move to bid process as soon as reasonably possible. Give preferential favor to contractors who propose immediate start up and provide shorted construction time.
This is not brain surgery, but in the minds of public servants it is! If only government could be as responsive as the private sector the problem would be less of an issue. Let’s cut the red tape Bull C**p and get shaking.
Steven fink says
I say no repair .Build a new one.
Tom says
Keep it closed and the funds towards the new pier
Jane Kranz says
I love the pier! It’s iconic. However if there are plans to demolish it to make way for a new concrete pier it doesn’t seem like the wisest choice to spend all that money to rebuild and then tear down. This is only my opinion and I’m sure many will disagree. As I noted it’s quite the landmark for our county.
tulip says
The pier was scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt next year. So why is FB so eager to pay consulting fees about repairing the damaged part of the pier now. It seems like these consultants way overcharge for what they do and then add another $650,000 at least to fix a bridge that is going to be totally replaced in less than a year? Save the so called consultant fees and the $650k towards the total repair. People will just have to learn to be without it for awhile and perhaps appreciate it more when it’s rebuilt. Colder weather is coming so there won’t be as many people at the beach anyway. Keep spending more and more money on this and dumping sand and the residents won’t be able to afford to live there at some point.
JaiiHein says
Agree…if it was a structure for say five year plan yes. But 8 months at 650k doesn’t benefit the return on investment. Give partial refunds of months lost prorated like an example…battery replacement before warranty end. Simple. Hopefully someone will suggest this in the meeting. I used the pier from ‘56-99.
Duncan says
Even if they were able to make up the costs vs. revenue on paper, things are likely to go over budget and end up costing more.
I would vote to seal the pier off and offer a prorated-refund to pass holders.
Shark says
The smart thing to do is to wait until next year. The Flagler County way of doing things would be to piss away the 650K,
Bruno says
This was bought up last night because I brought it up .I asked why would you repair it only to demo it in 6 months FB can save the 600,000-700,000 by not fixing .my suggestion was take insurance money for the damage ,save the $600,000 and don’t repair plus cancel the insurance on the pier $ 100,000 for 6 months along with $125000 to run the pier( salaries ,electric,IT and more This numbers are all in the 2022-2023 budget . I have attended these meetings for the last 2 years and every financial report is the red $60,000-80,000 .So the idea the bait shop would cover it’s false .So FB can save the above money plus get credit for the 160 feet of demolition due to Ian . this pier needs to start making money when we built a new one. Only if cost is minimal should they entertain reopening .Remember the estimate was from 3 years ago to build a new bridge with a 75% FEMA & 25% Flagler beach so it will cost us a lot more to due rising costs
Gary says
Sadly I think it’s time to let it go were already questioning the up rates for water sewage and garbage why would we spend that kind of money for less then a year? Had great times on that pier and will always be in our hearts and history but a new improved future of a sturdy pier for the generations are the next chapter…
Skibum says
Just the fact that Flagler Beach has a need to think about the possibility of spending more than a half million dollars to repair a pier that will soon be completely torn down within a year shows local bureaucracy gone absolutely, insanely berserk! Give me $650,000 instead and I can guarantee you that I will be able to find something foolish to spend it on that will be gone in a year’s time too. From my perspective, if you have to ask such a question in the first place, you have no business being in control of that kind of power or taxpayer’s money.
Ray says
Just remove the pier, and get it ready for the new one.
Resident says
It doesn’t matter, they will never make a decision. And speaking of the new concrete pier, who thinks it will ever be built? FEMA grant for $10 million and the cost now would probably be $20 million….where would that money come from?
Mr. Bill says
Flagler Beach has only two people draws for our local businesses. The Beach and the Pier. These are the draws. The Beach is crippled with 50 % (walkovers) not available. The Pier is 100% not available. Your looking at a 50-75% decrease in the number of people coming to our town during the day. Businesses are gonna hurt. A recession is coming, local businesses need all the support we can give them.
My opinion…
Follow the City Manager’s advise. Open the pier AS IS. The engineers said it’s safe. Block off the end like we’ve done in the past and call it a day. We will not have to refund the $14,000.00 in passes and the fall fishing is fabulous. Top it off with a final fireworks off the old pier July 4th. And that’s it. What do you think?
Fiscal Discipline says
Is the funding in place for the replacement pier? Asking for a friend.
Steve 2359 says
Maybe they could use the $650,00 to improve the water/sewer infrastructure. Rebuild the pier now, which is iconic, just so a
Nor-Easter can wreck it? Doesn’t seem logical. I feel for the fishermen/women, but it’s to cut bait.
jim lang says
Get rid of it. Went there when I first moved 12yrs ago. Guy said it cost money to walk out on it I said your kidding. Needless to say I save my money never been back.
Robin says
Demolish it.
Concerned Citizen says
Demo it and prep for the rebuild. Stop spending money you don’t need to. Use the funding saved in a rebuild to build bigger and better.
Did we really need to make fun of someone to compare an inanimate object to a living breathing human being? The Joan Rivers comment was made in poor taste.
Ellen says
I think it is a total waste of money to repair it, just to tear it down less than a year later…
I would explore if the new pier construction could be accelerated, if not, then either close it up, or tear it down, but please…to repair it and tear it is ludicrous!!!
feddy65 says
I have confidence in the commission to do the wrong thing.
Rose says
There is a 155-metre-long (508 feet) floating pier at The Maliah Beach Club, located in the Zorritos District of Peru. It’s attracting tourists to the area, which can help local restaurants/businesses, it’s fun for the locals…it might be something to consider looking into.
FlaglerLive says
Please note: “THIS NEW TOURIST ATTRACTION IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN.”
Steve says
That’s not a solution. He caught some serious air with the wave action. Ooops
Richard Liekweg says
After dragging their heals and letting the 3/4 of a million dollar federal grant money allotted for the pier last year slip by and at a last ditch effort not to lose it They are using it to build a PICKLE BALL COURT. If they plan to build a concrete pier next year then they should obviously not waste money trying to rebuild it for now. But the rebuild of a pier is a MUST for the history of Flagler Beach. And it should be longer and sturdier to last.
Mark says
A lot cheaper to refund pass holders $14,000 than to spend a ludicrous $650,000 for maybe 6 months of operation. This would allow more time to demolish it and have it gone before the construction phase starts, less chance of falling behind in schedules.
Jimbo99 says
Not sure what the figures are. but why refund the pier passes ? This was a storm that closed the pier down. If those fishermen had a boat that crapped out or sank in the storm, there wouldn’t be refunds for that. It’s unfortunate the pier pass is worthless, but these are the rates. If anything shouldn’t the passes be prorated or honored for a new pier eventually as a rain (storm) check ?
https://www.cityofflaglerbeach.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Flagler-Beach-Fishing-Pier-5?mobile=ON
http://www.cityofflaglerbeach.com/DocumentCenter/View/32/Pier-Rates?bidId=
Joe says
Ok so let’s use or heads .Close it down and build a new pier ,but there is no need to go out as far as it was .A short pier going out say 200 ft.and then a section going north and south would be good enough.
Kim Carney says
This enterprise was barely a break even over the past several years when we pulled it out of the parks budget making it its own enterprise fund. A few people will be unemployed for a couple of years. We will be able to plan and “save”
Money for the new pier. NO county municipality helps us. Flagler Beach citizens do not directly benefit from a budget neutral enterprise fund. Focus on the future and use our taxpayer money wisely! Move on FLagler Beach Commission and City Manager who is Al about spending our money. Do fund raising for the $2.5M for the new pier! Get to work and move on!
J8m says
Get rid of it along with the mayor.
Miah Mahoney says
Would it be possible to tear it down in such a way that the wood could be salvaged for sale as reclaimed wood to help offset the refunds for pass holders?
James says
When I first moved to Palm Coast/Flagler one of the most impressionable memories I had was seeing the old, very LONG Flagler pier… I was very impressed. Although I never paid to go on it, I admired it from afar (eh, now that I think about it, it probably was better knowing it that way anyway). Then as I got to know Florida better, I came to realize that it seemed almost every other town up the coast had a pier.
But NONE had the character and charm of that old wooden pier that had/has sadly been cut down battling with time and the growing force of natures fury. Now it’s gone.
I say, let it go… save the funds and build it back better… you’ll have too. But I’m in Palm Coast, it’s up to the Flagler Beach residents to decide… hold a special town hall meeting with the concerned public/business leaders voting on the matter.
Just my opinion.
Ray Ramirez says
Build a concrete jetty with a walkway on top, like Sebastien Inlet.