What's Next for the Salem Willows Pier?
Wondering what's next for the storm-damaged pier at Salem Willows Park? You're not the only one.
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The storm-damaged Salem Willows pier is still closed to city residents.
The good news, according to Salem Harbormaster Bill McHugh, is that the Willows pier was well-insured prior to being damaged and the insurance adjuster has been notified that it is currently in need of extensive repairs.
The Salem News is reporting this morning that bids for the repair project are expected to go out sometime this month.
McHugh also pointed out that the damage seen in the photographs attached to this post wasn't only inflicted during The Blizzard of 2013 - the pier has taken a beating during other recent high-water events, including Hurricane Sandy and even this latest round of winter weather.
Do you have a question for us? No matter how strange it may seem, send it to Salem Patch and we will try to track down an answer.
windpower
11:16 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Lets face it ,the pier needs to be raised about 2 feet . You could not ask for a better job that was done a few years ago ,but like it or not the sea in this area has goen up 2 inches , by NOAA data . and $$ spent to simply replace at existing height is $$ wasted .
Josh Turiel
12:12 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Agreed, Ed - it really should be raised up as part of any construction project. After the no-name storm of '91 trashed it and that repair, it held up for years. Now every good-sized storm takes a hit on it.
How are the seawalls down there holding up?
john
2:48 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
If they do fix it they will most likely put fishing meters out there to stop the fishing for free.
Michael Berry
4:34 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
98 percent of the damge occurred during Sandy. It would also be nice if they could remove all of the old, unused pilings on the Main Beach side, extend it out another 50-80 feet and put a T at the end. (Yes, I am an angler). Not sure if raising it would do anything to prevent damage. Most of the damage is just boards that popped up in the surge. I would assume that this is by design to prevent even worse structural damage to the frame. BRING BACK SWEENEY!
melas
6:02 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I miss the boat rentals. That was an easy way to get out on the water without making a huge investment.
windpower
12:11 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Josh . The Willows park walls are fine . The wall at "steps " beach is ready to fall . The neighbors did a repointing job several years ago but it is failing . Just a note remember this sea rise when considering the new housing in town .
Bill
3:23 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013
I was under the impression we were going to stop the rising seas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2pZSvq9bto
Another promise non fulfilled.
chester suchecki
10:48 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
looks like the pier could use some common sense engineering.