From Informed Infrastructure / April 8, 2024
Yesterday, Civitas, an award winning global landscape architecture and urban design firm, as a subconsultant to Moffatt and Nichol, a premier waterfront engineering practice, presented the latest design concepts for the replacement of the Ocean Beach Pier based on extensive community outreach and engagement over the past year. The presentation event provided community members with an exclusive look at the latest concept that the City of San Diego has selected based on the public’s preferences.
The Ocean Beach Pier, an iconic structure stretching over 1,900 feet into the Pacific Ocean, has been a beloved landmark in San Diego since the 1960s. As a result, the City is pursuing a potential replacement of the pier as the best option considering the ongoing costs of repairs, the need to modernize the existing facility and anticipation of future sea level rise. The project team, which includes Civitas as well as the lead consultant Moffatt & Nichol, RNT Architects, and marketing and public engagement consultant Cook + Schmid, has been diligently working with the City of San Diego on renewal and replacement plans to ensure the pier remains a cherished destination for generations to come.
Civitas, known for its inclusive and community-driven design process, has actively involved the local community in shaping the future of Ocean Beach Pier. In addition to the hundreds who’ve attended in-person meetings, over 4,000 individuals participated in a series of online surveys, providing valuable feedback that has guided the design process. Based on the public’s needs and wants, the project team had developed three different design schemes that were presented in the fall of 2023. The public was then asked a number of questions, including identifying their favorite features of the three options as well choosing the design that best reflects Ocean Beach’s culture.
The overwhelming choice was the boldest design concept called “The Braid,” which the project team has since refined as the foundation of the current scheme featuring a fluid, curved layout and unique second-level walking experience that flows from the linear pier structure and provides an elevated 360-degree view of the ocean and the horizon. At the end of the pier, an infinity edge plaza not only provides breathtaking panoramic views but also underscores the community’s strong connection to the ocean and its stewardship.
“We’ve been truly encouraged by the level of participation and enthusiasm from the community throughout this process,” said Kyle Hopkins, Landscape Architect at Civitas, and lead designer of the new pier concept. “Their insights and preferences have played a pivotal role in enhancing our design concepts to better reflect the spirit and character of Ocean Beach.”
The essence of Ocean Beach’s character, deeply rooted in its eclectic culture and love for the ocean, is intricately woven into the new design. Embracing the ethos of placemaking over mere infrastructure, the pier emerges not just as a fishing destination with amenities for anglers, but as a dynamic social hub with a variety of gathering spaces. The innovative design, a modern take on the historic piers unique form, reflects a continuity with Ocean Beach’s traditions and the history of the current pier while offering enhanced amenities and unique experiences. From the surfer’s lounge strategically positioned above the breaking waves to the ADA-accessible walkways inviting all to partake in the ocean’s majesty, every element is a testament to inclusivity and forward-thinking.
“We believe these updated designs reflect the aspirations of the Ocean Beach community,” remarked Scott Jordan, principal at Civitas. “We were extremely pleased with the turn-out and excited to share the preferred concept with the public and continue our collaborative journey towards a revitalized pier.”
Civitas will continue to contribute to design refinement and will prepare for the reveal of a final concept later this year. For more information on the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project, please visit the project’s website, or contact Rachelle Robison of Agency PR at civitas@agencypr.co. Additional renderings courtesy of Civitas can be found here.
About Civitas:
Founded in 1984, Civitas is a leading urban design firm dedicated to creating healthier and more vibrant cities through innovative planning and design solutions. With a commitment to community engagement and sustainability, Civitas has earned recognition for its transformative projects around the world. For additional information, visit civitasinc.com.
“to better reflect the spirit and character of Ocean Beach.”
“these updated designs reflect the aspirations of the Ocean Beach community,”
These two statements are so wrong. From the very beginning, I’ve been telling people until I’m blue in the face, this is not an Ocean Beach project, this is a city project, it is not about Ocean Beach.
I love OB, I’ve lived here for 44 years. Raised two kids here. I used to work all over the county. I know what people in other parts of the city and county think of OB, and much of it isn’t good. A great deal of money will be needed to build the new pier and we will need everyone to pitch in. We need everyone to feel this is their pier, wherever they come from, not OB’s pier. If people look at this as an OB project, it will be sunk.
Even not knowing it’s in OB is making people cranky. I’ve been looking at comments the peanut gallery makes whenever pier updates are shared on socials and the comments are almost overwhelming “where is the money come?”, “why do we need a new pier?”, “can’t the money be spent on more important things ( housing, homelessness, streets )?” The general public is not in favor of a new pier-and I think that would be anywhere. Thank gawd it’s not a voter initiative SMH.
Well, that information runs counter to the poll the city’s consultants took. The option of just removing the pier got very few votes.
Social media. (shrug)
I tend to think people are more blatantly honest on social because they can hide behind a keyboard and fake profiles. Or they’re just pissed about everything the city does and need to vent lol
Quoting the city’s consultants as like the developer’s omission of cost in presentation is akin to polluting the water. Don’t let the pier become another Todd scam.
I went through the OB Rag’s older posts and it seems like its skeptical attitude towards city projects is backfiring here. The OB Rag has spent a lot of time criticizing just about any effort by the city to build anything, and that is making it difficult for readers to support the pier project.
Do you mean “anything” anything or just anything of a new pier? Because if it is “anything” anything, that’s anything but ridiculous; the Rag has called for the city to build a new library, a new lifeguard station and restrooms, and affordable housing and facilities for the unhoused, new wetlands in Mission Bay and of course, a new pier.
Right, not literally anything. I’d say, based on what I’ve seen from older Rag posts, that there is frequent skepticism of city projects and that may have muddied the waters so now readers are skeptical of this project too. It is hard to walk the fine line between legitimate criticism of the city and advocating for the city to do something you want. Reader comments seem to reflect the general skepticism, despite whatever the merits of the new pier are.
Skepticism based on reasons, like backdoor deals by Todd, the council, and the budget with a deficit. We have Ash St., negligent infrastructure management while eliminating developer impact fees, Midway Rising, more cost details previously unknown coming with this proposed homeless shelter, toilet to tap while the dam system continues to deteriorate. Now throw in a pier on top of this. Water rates have been increased. Trash fees being phased in. Now he wants to add more sales taxes.
His policies erode affordability, hence the skepticism. We’re trying to stop inflation, but these actions feed into it. The cart is before the horse on a downhill trajectory and beginning to run away.
Get ready for the public sales pitch tugging at nostaliga. This is like drinking the kool-aid before the proctologist visit. Fish blood and guts spilled on the deck, seagulls going after those guts, trash, and peoples food, crapping everywhere. Can’t think of a better place to plunk down $200 mil for a romantic stroll.
Kind of interesting the landscape architect is the lead designer.
Whoa, dude, “Fish blood and guts spilled on the deck, seagulls going after those guts, trash, and peoples food, crapping everywhere,” that is not what the pier looks like at all. As for romantic strolls, next to fishing, that may be the next most popular activity on the pier.
To each their own view, and in the spirit and fairness of things, I asked CH8 to do a story and a poll, the three designs with cost, and a 4th option of pier removal only. It would be nice to see a complete comparison without a conflicted entity involved.
I actually agree. I think they need to come back with four estimates, the first two designs not selected, the one they show now, and an estimate of the preferred design, minus the overwalk feature. Then. let people decide what they want.
In a word, hideous.
The good news is this pier will probably never be built.
The aspirations of people in OB would prefer a new lifeguard station, as the current one is very bad, with terrible public toilets.
Thanks for reading this, Mayor Gloria.
No, not hideous, his view of the pier is not correct. And this pier IS NOT for the people of OB. It is for the whole city and the whole county.
I personally think this design is beautiful. The two tier aspect, the infinity view at the end, the addition of wood to soften the hard surfaces. It takes it a step above the utilitarian feel of our current pier and adds some style without being over designed.
This article was a basic puff piece full of wokish-speak. I wonder how people just from Ocean Beach voted on the three designs? From those I talked to most seem to greatly prefer that design most like the current pier—the “Squint” I think it was called.
/s/ Chris Kennedy
Info was presented in meeting and this was found in an article in the Times of San Diego “Three designs were shown in a fall 2023 survey, with 3,700 taking part — 39% from central San Diego, 29% from Ocean Beach, 14% from north San Diego, 10% from east San Diego, 5% from south San Diego and 3% from outside the area”
OB cannot get a library built, I wonder how the proposed pier can be funded and built. I bet $190Mil is not enough by the time construction starts.
Thank you. It would also be interesting to know of the 29% voting in Ocean Beach which design received the most votes.
I think ultimately a lot of the features of this design will be scaled back to reduce costs—i.e., the odd overhead walkway and some of the special viewing platforms. One thing I do like is that this new pier is only 2 feet wider than the existing one so that helps to keep the visual impact somewhat in line with what we have now.
/s/ Chris Kennedy
I supported the squint. With this concept I was concerned about the sightlines from shore being obstructive, and all the sheltered areas turning into encampments.
Way back in 1991, I flew out to LA for a job interview. The office happened to be right by the pier in Santa Monica. I noticed all these terribly sunburned men sleeping on the benches and didn’t understand. Now I do. So much for the billions California has spent to “fix” the “homelessness problem.”
Houston seems to be the only city to get a grip – all the helping groups met up in the same room and split up the jobs. One group does x, another group does y. None try to do it all. And it seems that city is making some headway.