Berkeley residents unhappy over Pier 26 closure

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Fishermen were disappointed Friday morning when they learned the Berkeley Pier has been closed."It's the only place we have to get fun and spend some time here, but what can we do?" Berkeley pier visitor Arturo Leon said.

The Berkeley Pier had always been a popular spot to hang out. "Every time I come out here there's always someone out there," Alan Leon said.

A sign now posted at the entrance of the pier says it's closed due to structural safety issues. "It didn't feel unsafe, but it doesn't surprise me that it would be unsafe," Miguel Valencia said.

Inspectors noticed damage to the concrete deck and support system days before the Fourth of July.The pier was officially closed on Wednesday. "I agree with them closing it if there's a safety factor," Jess Ubarro said.

The Berkeley Marina Bait and Tackle shop is not happy with the closure. They are already seeing business slow down considerably in what is supposed to be the busiest time of the year. "There's a lot of people who can't afford to slip her, or afford to own their own boat. So, those are the people that we target who come out and fish off the Pier 26,"Berkeley Marina Bait and Tackle shop owner Ben Jordan said.

City officials are now trying to figure out the next steps to make repairs, something many hope happens soon. "It's great to have access to the water front and I live in East Bay now, so it'd be nice to run out here and enjoy the scenery," East Bay resident Cynthia Leung said.

The city of Berkeley is working with engineers right now to analyze the extent of the damage, figure out methods of repairs and the total cost it will take to fix the problem.