Buckroe Beach pier design, accessibility and schedule updated; council presses staff on delays

Fred Whitley presented the Buckroe pier schematic, showing a 16‑foot‑wide pier with a tee head at the end, a series of ramps to meet handicap requirements, a fish‑cleaning station, and restrooms primarily on the land side. He said the city purchased the pier parcel, is negotiating right‑of‑way for Resort Boulevard access and plans to use concrete piles and beams with a wood deck to give a traditional pier appearance but modern strength.

Whitley told council the VMRC permit hearing is tentatively scheduled for December or January and that pier piling installation could start in January or February. He said staff plans to advertise site‑work and decking bids in January and complete decking and facilities by August 2008, provided contract negotiations and permitting proceed as expected. Several councilmembers expressed frustration at repeated schedule slippage; staff and the manager said the project had been delayed by legal and permitting challenges but that most legal impediments were now resolved.

Council also asked staff to consider lighting that provides visibility down the pier and to confirm whether alcohol sales were planned for concession areas; staff and parks officials indicated that alcohol sales were not expected.