City of Santa Cruz announces Wharf’s reopening on January 4

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Santa Cruz said that there will be a ceremony to celebrate the Wharf's reopening at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

This comes after 150 feet of the end of the wharf collapsed into the ocean on December 23 during extremely high surf. Three people dropped into the water along with the debris, although no major injuries were reported.

The city said that the portion of the wharf that collapsed into the water will remain closed, and that businesses will also be reopening.

"Wharf contractor Power Engineering Construction worked with Pioneer for an ocean sonar scan to locate their heavy equipment that fell into the ocean on December 23,” said Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker. “The three heavy equipment items have been successfully located. A skiff washed up on the beach and is secured, and the crane and a skid steer are currently in the ocean at a safe distance from the wharf.”

The city says that its leaders will be on site to answer questions and that the ceremony is open to the public.

The engineering assessment was completed by Moffatt and Nichol. "Moffat and Nichol did not observe any damage to the Wharf’s structural capacity beyond the area affected by storm damage and noted that it has the same strength it did before the storm,” said Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot. “Bents (substructures) 169, 170 and 171 do have some damage, and this is the narrower part that remains at the very end of the Wharf and is closed off.”

The city said that vehicle traffic will not be allowed past Marini's Candies on Saturday, and that cars will turn around at the East Parking Lot. Access to Stagnaro's will be pedestrian only, according to the city.

"We understand that Wharf business owners are eager to resume operations for the public,” said City of Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley.

As work continues on the wharf, the City says they will keep the community updated with progress.

The ceremony will also be live-streamed on the City’s Facebook page.