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Scheduled to open by Memorial Day, the Venice Pier remains decidedly closed. For Venetians who had hoped to enjoy a stroll on the beloved pier this summer, that dream is all but waning. “With all the challenges we’ve had to suffer though this year the fact that a project in a public outdoor space like this has been so dragged out is just ridiculous,” said longtime Venice resident Guy Okazaki. The $5 million dollar restoration projec By Nicole Lynch
Scheduled to open by Memorial Day, the Venice Pier remains decidedly closed. For Venetians who had hoped to enjoy a stroll on the beloved pier this summer, that dream is all but waning. “With all the challenges we’ve had to suffer though this year the fact that a project in a public outdoor space like this has been so dragged out is just ridiculous,” said longtime Venice resident Guy Okazaki.
The $5 million dollar restoration project was approved after a June 2018 electrical fire caused by a homeless encampment under the pier burned a 15-foot section near the lifeguard tower. An eyewitness to the scene said that an unhoused person tapped into the electrical system and was attempting to use a microwave oven.
When the scaffolding came down and the construction equipment staging location cleared out nearly a month ago, it seemed as though reopening was imminent. However, weeks passed with little activity. “It’s like nobody’s managing it. There’s been no information, it’s absurd,” Guy continued.
Calls and emails to the Department of Recreation and Parks were not returned.
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