Unexpected damage to the underwater supports is costly and will take as long as three months to fix.
By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published September 10, 2004
OLDSMAR - Damage to the city's pier from Hurricane Frances could top $100,000.
Crashing waves and heavy winds rocked the 523-foot pier's underwater structure, twisted the walkway and "demolished" the boat launch, said City Engineer John D. Bishop.
"It's not unusual for those types of structures to have some damage," Bishop said. But the extent of the damage to the pier's underwater supports was something that Bishop and other officials weren't expecting.
"We've had high waters before and stuff like that, and the structure was sound," said Lynn Rives, parks and recreation director. "The wave action just beat it up."
Bishop estimated that repairs will cost between $100,000 and $110,000. Fixing the pier is pricey, he said, because it must be built to withstand saltwater, waves and winds up to 123 miles per hour.
City officials have not determined when repairs will begin on the pier, located at R.E. Olds Park. Bishop said it will take 60 to 90 days to fix.
The city has boarded up the pier's entrance and placed a "No Trespassing" sign there, hoping to prevent people from walking on its wobbly planks.
The last major renovation of the pier was done about 1990, Rives said. Benches were added in 1999, he said, and additional renovations had been planned this fall.
If Ivan comes through the Tampa Bay area, the pier may receive another battering. But Bishop said the city has no plans to protect the damaged pier.
"There's really nothing we can do at this point," he said. "There's not enough time."
