Santa Monica : Tower to Be Placed on Pier

A 44-foot communications tower will be set in place today atop the new two-story Harbor Office on the west end of the Santa Monica Pier, culminating a nearly eight-year effort to replace the office that was washed away by heavy storms.

The Harbor Office works with area police, firefighters, paramedics, lifeguards and the Coast Guard to provide security and rescue operations on the beach, water and the pier. The tower contains meteorological and communications equipment.

The January, 1983, storm that washed away the old office was followed in March by another devastating storm that wiped out 412 feet of the west end of the pier and a 45,000-square-foot section from the southwest corner of Pleasure Pier.

The city has completed reconstruction of the pier. In addition to the new Harbor Office, a 318-seat restaurant, a public observation deck, bleachers, public restrooms, a first aid office and a bait shop are being built. They are expected to open late this year.