Town officials said pilings washed ashore while Tropical Storm Alberto churned up tidal activity. The landmark's owner says the town has a vendetta against him.
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published June 15, 2006
REDINGTON SHORES –– The Redington Long Pier was declared unsafe and closed to the public Tuesday after several pilings and cross-braces were washed ashore by Tropical Storm Alberto.
Town officials said Thursday they had no choice but to close the 44-year-old pier, which draws up to 600 people a day on busy weekends and extends 1,021-ft. into the Gulf of Mexico.
Building official Steve Andrews required pier owner Tony Antonious to produce a certified safety report from a marine structure engineer before the pier can reopen.
Antonious, a past candidate for mayor, said the pier is safe and accused the city of a vendetta because he refused to allow the town to use the pier to launch July 4th fireworks.
But on June 3, 2005, a Pinellas County engineer’s report listed serious structural problems with the pier. In April, the county warned Antonious that he could face legal action if he did not make repairs.
“It’s ridiculous. It is a blood feud between me and the town,” says Antonious. Mayor Jody Armstrong denied that.
“This is no vendetta,’’ she said. “It is our job to keep the public safe. If we had not taken action, we could be liable if someone were hurt.’’
The town heard from residents Tuesday morning that pilings had washed up on the beach. Andrews was sent to inspect the pier. “We don’t know where the pilings came from,” he said. “I told Mr. Antonious all we need is a letter from an engineer certifying that the pier is safe.”
Antonious, who was out of town this week, said he has hire a contractor but not a marine engineer. Rick Skrovanek of L.R.S. Contruction and Remodeling said he was scheduled to begin replacing hand railings and deck boards this week until the town barred anyone from going on the pier.
County engineer Tony Horrnik said, “the adequacy of the fishing pier to sustain gravity and lateral loads is suspect and should be investigated by a professional engineer.”
Horrnik’s report said worn or inadequately fastened deck boards needed replacing, some pilings were decayed or did not have cross-section support, connection hardware was corroded, several stringers under deck boards were rotted or damaged and several electrical fixtures and conduits were damaged and posed a “serious safety hazard”.
David Walker, the county’s environmental program manager, said he is working with Antonious to make sure the pier is safe.
“The pier is not in the falling-down stage yet, but it is headed there,” said Walker. “It is very unusual that it is a private pier. We know the public loves the thing. It has such a history.”
In 2000, the town and the county tried to buy the pier but balked at the $1.6-million price tag. Antonious then purchased the pier from the estate of its long-time owner, Ernest J. “Ernie” Torok, who died in 1998.
The pier was built in 1962 and purchased by Torok in 1968. Over the years, Torok constructed a bait house, rest rooms, and shelters. He sold annual memberships and offered day rates to people who wanted to fish or just stroll the pier.
Thursday, several fishermen were disappointed to find the pier closed.
“I come here everyday. Now there is no place to go,” says Nick Gerome, a 22-year resident of Redington Shores. John Karnezis, a resident of neighboring North Redington Beach and owner of The Island House Motor Hotel, says he often brings his children and wife to fish on the pier.
Sue Antonious, co-owner of the pier, said she is concerned for the people who now cannot fish, as well as for the pier’s 11 employees.
“We lost the whole summer last year. Red Tide kept so many people away. This was going to be our good year,” she said.
