By TR Robertson
Representatives of various media agencies were invited on Tuesday to cover the beginnings of demolition of the burned restaurant, the former Ruby’s Diner, at the end of the Oceanside pier, and to hear from Oceanside City Engineer, Brian Thomas, with an update on the timeline for completion and the future of the end of the Pier.
The Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the western United States coastline and is 1,954 feet long. The Pier was first built in 1888, in a different location at the end of Wisconsin Avenue. This Pier was destroyed by storms in 1890. A Pier was rebuilt in 1893 at the present location at what is now Pier View Way. Four different piers have been built at this location, all destroyed by heavy storms. The current Pier was built and opened to the public in September of 1987 at a cost of $5 million. Close to the entrance to the Pier a 2,500-seat amphitheater was built in the 1930’s. In 2012 the amphitheater was officially named the ‘Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater’.
On Thursday, April 25 of this year, a blaze erupted on the far west end of the Pier burning sections of this part of the Pier and significantly damaging what used to be Ruby’s Diner. Joint efforts from Oceanside responders and regional partners quickly responded, saving 93% of the pier. Two structures were destroyed, the vacant restaurant and a small to-go food shop called The Brine Box. The origin of the fire was found to be in the northwest area of the Pier. There was no evidence of an intentional start to the fire. Roughly 80% of the Pier reopened in May, now open from 4 am to 10 pm every day.
Oceanside City Engineer Brian Thomas gave an interview and responded to questions from the media as the job of removing the burned structures was underway led by Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc. While there we saw welders were on large lifts taking down the steel portions of the former restaurant. Thomas explained the process to remove the debris will involve around 12-20 workers working from 7am until 3:30pm Monday through Friday. Thomas said the demolition would cost around $1.3 million. Not only will the burned structures be removed but portions of the Pier, both deck planking and sections under the Pier will be removed. Also removed will be the existing utilities, sewer lift station and grease trap. Thomas said one thing they have discovered as they investigated the under area of the Pier is that much of this area needed replacing, not necessarily from the fire. He said the current plan is to rebuild a restaurant at the former location on the Pier. The Pier process from start to completion could be from 3-4 years and will include not only the demolition, but also include structural analysis of the Pier and west end pilings, rebuilding this Pier area, the permitting process, restaurant planning and construction. A number of regulatory agencies will be required to receive permits.
Thomas was asked about an updated fire suppression system, and he assured the group that it would be in place. He was asked about the metal plates with family and individual names on them and how they would be handled. These engravings were done in 1988 as a fundraiser for the City’s centennial celebration. He said many were damaged in the fire and those that remain will be offered to families and individuals. The city does have archived records of all the engraved names. Thomas said the Pier rebuild is an Oceanside City Council priority. He also said the local businesses are excited about the Pier rebuild. When asked about the removal of the debris, Thomas said the debris will be carefully hauled off the Pier and the Pier will not be shut down during this process.
If you are in Oceanside or the North County in 2027 or 2028, perhaps you will be around for the re-opening of the end of the Oceanside Pier and possibly the opening of a new restaurant in Oceanside.
