> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pier potties proving pricey - URL: https://www.smdp.com/pier-potties-proving-pricey/ - Published: 2006-02-28T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T17:18:40.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Government & Politics, Pier, #archive-import *‘Backbone’ gets braced* CITY HALL — While rains have put a damper on thoughts of an early summer, the City Council isn’t letting a few gloomy days keep it from looking ahead and spending close to $4 million at the beach and pier. In addition to a project that replace inadequate pier bathrooms with a larger restroom facility, the council is expected tonight to approve a new long-term lease agreement with the state that will allow City Hall to have continued influence over Santa Monica State Beach until 2051. Under the terms of the lease, City Hall would be responsible for the development, operation, control and maintenance of the beach. The department of community and cultural services said City Hall will spend $3,767,003 on beach operations this year. The pier bathroom project, which began in November of 2003, is budgeted at $1,839,981, with $248,000 expected to be spent tonight on a design and engineering contract with AZ Architect Studios, Inc. THE CONTRACT City Hall first entered into a beach lease agreement with the state in 1949. In 1981, City Hall and the state entered into a 25-year agreement to provide for supervision of the beach. That agreement expires on Dec. 31, according to a report by City Hall staff. The new agreement would be essentially the same as the old, with City Hall still obligated to maintain and operate the beach, including all public parking and beach concessions. Any rules and regulations that City Hall adopts must be consistent with those approved by California State Parks, according to city staff. In addition, substantial improvements made are subject to approval from the state and must be in accordance with state construction standards. City Hall contacted the director of State Parks in January 2005 regarding the creation of an off-the-leash dog park at the beach, but the state enforces a strict “no dogs” policy on all beaches in the Angeles District, according to a report from city staff (See related story, page 1). NEW TOILETS With approximately 3 million people visiting the pier each year, the City Council feels the time has come to upgrade its restrooms. The bathroom replacement project will include new toilets, a commissary, storage area for vendor carts, and a retail kiosk. Improvements to the pier’s structure will also be made in order to support the new facility. AZ Architecture Studio was chosen after a two-month search. The company has designed beach restrooms for San Diego and has received positive reviews from past clients who said the company was cost-efficient and completed projects on time, according to a city staff report. In March 2004, AZ conducted design meetings with the Pier Restoration Corp., pier users, merchants and city staff, during which time the need for a commissary and storage area was identified. On Nov. 3, 2004, the restroom design was approved. The roof of the central facility will have a curved roof to mimic the roller coasters at Pacific Park. The existing central restroom will be converted to storage and the rear portion of the existing bike rental shop will be converted into a commissary where food carts can be stored and cleaned in accordance with health and safety codes. SUCH WASTE In addition to improving the pier’s bathrooms, the council is also expected to spend $800,000 of federal grant money to repair and enhance the city’s sewer system. Damaged in the Northridge Earthquake, a sewer main that serves as the “backbone” for the city’s downtown area is in need of repair. The main runs along Colorado Avenue and under the old RAND Corp. property before connecting with a new main under Ocean Avenue. That section of sewer handles roughly two-thirds of the wastewater flow in that area, according to city staff reports. To repair it, city engineers have recommended that a new main be built to run alongside the older one. Once the new line is constructed, the existing main will be rehabilitated. Eventually, both of the mains would work in tandem. The proposed location of the new project requires that City Hall acquire an easement at 120 Colorado Ave., which is home to a Holiday Inn. City staff is currently negotiating with the owners of that property, Felcore Hotel Assets Company, LLC. If the easement can’t be obtained, city staff will request the City Council to use eminent domain to acquire the easement. The council has spent $94,000 so far, including $20,000 for a feasibility study and $74,000 for the preliminary design. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 28, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)