O.C. Fishing Pier, Destroyed By Sandy, Is Reopened
OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- Ocean City officials reopen the landmark fishing pier that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.
Gigi Barnett has more on the restorations.
For drivers, the Bay Bridge is a symbol that tells them they're getting closer to the beach. In Ocean City, the historic pier says they've arrived. And after months of repairs, that pier has reopened.
For anyone looking to cast a line in Ocean City, this was the pier to do it from. Video of Superstorm Sandy's strong waves and wicked winds washing the pier away back in October went viral.
This weekend, the pier is back.
"I think it symbolizes Ocean City, it symbolizes what people have experienced in the past. It's a nostalgic type of structure, so we're very proud that it's been rebuilt," said Mayor Rick Meehan.
While the town itself saw little damage from the storm, the 106 year old landmark couldn't survive.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan says the town pushed to get the pier repaired before the start of the holiday weekend.
"People just expect to come here to Ocean City and come out on the pier or sit on the beach and look at the Ocean City pier," he said.
Some visitors are the first to venture out this weekend and see the new boards tacked securely in place.
Barnett: "So what do you think of the new pier?"
Visitor: "It's beautiful, yeah."
For others, the damage done is still fresh.
"When you're growing up on the Eastern Shore and come down to the beach, it's such a part of your childhood. So to see anything like that from your childhood that gets damaged is upsetting," a woman said.
If you're wondering who foot the bill to make the cost of repairs to the pier, it was not taxpayers. Ocean City owns the pier, but a private company rents it and maintains it.
That company would not say how much it paid to repair the pier.
The first pier was built in 1907.
