The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved action to repair the county’s ocean pier during a meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The easternmost 100 feet of the pier has been closed to the public since Aug. 27 after the discovery six days earlier of decay to support pillars during an inspection. An initial inspection both above and below the water line in April had not revealed the damage.
But on Aug. 21, a piece of metal was found to have detached from a piling. The recent beach renourishment facilitated that discovery, as the new sand kept the affected area above water.
Facilities Management Director Daniel Whitcraft told the board that a structural engineering firm was consulted to review solutions. The result was a proposal to address piling sections nine through 16, roughly half the pier.
County staff received an “opinion of cost” for long-term repairs of about $3 million. The funds would come from Tourist Development Tax reserves.
The county will now explore options to expedite contracting services to effect the repairs. There is some concern that permitting requirements could slow up the process, though that remains an unknown.
Once complete, the repairs are expected to extend the pier’s life by an estimated 20 years.
