The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, still recovering from a catastrophic collapse in late December, will close again this week for urgent water main repairs, city officials said Wednesday.
The City of Santa Cruz plans to close the wharf from 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday morning.
The temporary shutdown comes three months after the Dec. 23 disaster, when a 150-foot section of the historic structure broke off during large swells, sending two workers plunging into turbulent waters below. The partial collapse caused nearly $19 million in damages to the wharf, forcing it to close during a busy holiday period. The city reopened the wharf in early January, roughly two weeks after the collapse, and much earlier than city officials had initially anticipated.
The city described the water main break as routine wear and tear on the aging structure. “We understand the impact closures can have on Wharf businesses and the community,” said Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot, who has been overseeing recovery efforts since the December collapse. “City staff from Parks and Recreation, the Water Department, and contractors are working around the clock to make the repairs and reopen in time for the weekend foot traffic.”
Both city officials and Cal/OSHA, the state’s workplace safety agency, opened investigations into the wharf. City leaders are currently conducting a comprehensive structural analysis of the wharf, with recommendations expected later this spring. The city is also reviewing its long-delayed Wharf Master Plan, a proposal to redevelop the wharf funded in part by a $7 million grant from the California Coastal Conservancy.
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