Legislative Panel OKs $150,000 for Ventura Pier Work

Calling the Ventura pier a tremendous resource for the California coast, state Sen. Jack O’Connell (D-San Luis Obispo) announced Sunday that a legislative committee has approved $150,000 in restoration funds for the 123-year-old landmark.

The conference committee’s recommendation will go before the Assembly and state Senate for adoption later this month as part of the state’s spending plan for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.

“This is the last significant hurdle before the governor’s desk,” O’Connell said.

In December 1995, 18-foot waves destroyed a 425-foot section of the wooden pier, dumping 350 tons of pilings, deck and railing onto the nearby beach.

Restoring the 1,958-foot-long structure--once the state’s longest wooden pier--will cost about $3.3 million. The city has already received $2 million from an insurance policy, and $250,00 from the state Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Conservation Board to restore the pier to its original length.

Ventura Mayor Jack Tingstrom said the new funds would be a welcome addition to the restoration project.

“Our goal is to put the pier back to full length, and we’ll take anything we can get to get it back to full length,” Tingstrom said.