Title
Resolution requesting a grant in the amount of $1,250,000 from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board for the construction of fishing platforms at the Belmont Veterans' Memorial Pier. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
As part of the revitalization of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier area, the concept of fishing platforms attached to the pier has been discussed. The platforms would create a safer and modern structure to meet the needs of the citizens and visitors of Long Beach.
The pier is only 24' wide, and fishing activities require five to six feet, with fishing currently allowed on both sides. As a result, fishing activity conflicts with other activities on the pier, including pedestrian traffic, bicycle traffic, and vehicular access for maintenance purposes. This conflict also restricts overhead casting, which further limits fishing activity. Finally, fishing patrons have expressed a desire to be closer to the water.
In September 2003, a consultant was hired to develop a fishing platform layout and provide estimated costs. The conceptual plan includes three platforms that are 10-feet wide and 60-feet in length. They would be structurally independent of the pier, closer to the water than the pier, and accessible by fixed gangways that meet ADA requirements.
The State of California, Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), provides grants for the purpose of constructing fishing piers and development of fishing access sites. The fishing platforms qualify for this grant program. The State of California would lease the actual platforms, to protect its investment, but the platforms would be operated and controlled, for all practical purposes, by the City.
The estimated cost for the fishing platforms is $1,250,000. The WCB grant requires a 50 percent match, which will be satisfied through the City's investment in other improvements on the pier, including structural improvements, restrooms and parking lot improvements, which are already City funded. ...
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