The closure of the Pacifica Pier has become a rallying point for the coastal community, which gathered for a press conference to plead for its future. Speakers described the pier, now shut down, as far more than a place to fish, calling it a community asset and a source of livelihood for many residents. Local business owners, fishermen and state legislators took turns at the microphone to underline how deeply the loss is being felt along the coast side.
Among those who spoke were the owners of the Chit Chat Cafe, the small business tied to the pier. Ginger Davis, who runs the cafe with her husband Brandon, said the couple were still in shock, describing themselves as new business owners overwhelmed by their community's support. She said being told one morning that much of their livelihood was about to be erased was a devastating experience, and that the neighbors of Pacifica had truly rallied around them in their time of need.
The community response has also been financial. According to those at the event, a GoFundMe page raised more than 30,000 dollars from local residents to support the Chit Chat Cafe. Davis urged people to remember the other small businesses affected, especially in the Shark Park area, and to shop small and shop local. She warned that the loss of the fishermen and some of the area's tourism would end up affecting the whole community, not only those directly tied to the pier.
State Senator Josh Becker, who represents Pacifica and most of San Mateo County, framed the closure as both an emotional and an economic blow. Becker, who chairs the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, called the pier a draw for Pacifica and an economic driver for the entire community. He said residents had been sounding the alarm for years about coastal erosion, severe storms and sea level rise, describing Pacifica as ground zero for coastal resilience.
Pointing to the damage, Becker said the situation showed that climate change is not theoretical but a real impact on families, communities and businesses. On that basis, he said he was requesting that the governor declare a state of emergency and authorize the state resources needed to help repair the pier and allow the community to recover. He stressed that the people of Pacifica live with the consequences of coastal change every day and have seen the damage firsthand.
Becker, who also chairs a Bay Area caucus of 27 legislators, laid out the funding he wants directed to the effort. He noted that last year lawmakers secured 112 million dollars for coastal resilience and sea level rise, and that voters approved Proposition 4, a 10 billion dollar bond covering water, wildfire and coastal resilience. He said the city had requested an additional 2.5 million dollars for its Beach Boulevard infrastructure resiliency project, and, referring to a bill from Congressman Sam Liccardo, argued that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, with the pier now needing to be assessed and either fixed or possibly replaced.