Restaurant’s open, but it may take years and $20M to rebuild hurricane-damaged Anglin’s Fishing Pier
Christmas and New Year’s are only days away. But the owner of the storm-damaged Anglin’s
His landside outdoor restaurant and bar, though, are open. Trouble is, publicity from the act of God is overshadowing what’s left of the business.
“We are alive, we are still alive,” he said in an interview Thursday over Greek coffee at the restaurant. “We need government help. This pier is the heartbeat of
But a contractor he hired said at a town code compliance hearing this month that it would cost up to
If the money part sounds challenging, the time frame for a rebuild sounds even more daunting. An engineer retained by Marchelos told a special magistrate at the hearing that it could take up to two years to obtain the necessary environmental permits for any work to start.
Decades-long history
The original version of the pier opened in 1941. After a major rebuilding project was completed, it reopened just two days after the 1963 assassination of President
Marchelos and a brother bought the pier in 2005, but an ownership dispute emerged. Marchelos became president of Fisherman’s
The pier is among several major
In a recent newsletter to residents, the town delivered the discouraging news to local businesses and advocates who have long counted on the pier to be a prime tourism magnet: “The pier may not be able to be repaired due to the level of deterioration.” the letter said.
At the code compliance hearing,
The new
The end point of the 976-foot
Inflation’s bite
Marchelos says he has the money to start a rebuilding project. “We have allocated funds for this project,” he said.
But as with all businesses contemplating redevelopment or expansion, he is feeling inflation’s bite. Construction costs ”have gone through the roof,” pushing up prices for labor, materials and insurance, as well as interest rates for borrowing money.
The day that part of the pier disappeared,
“Anglin’s
Thus far, the town has shown no inclination to contribute money. Its public information officer said there are no proposals for financial aid pending before the commission.
But a meter is running on
During the code compliance hearing, the magistrate said the fines will continue so the town can maintain its leverage to ensure compliance with safety issues. At the hearing, Marchelos called the decision “unfair,” arguing the damages were caused by two “acts of God,” Irma and
Nonetheless, he is still able to operate the restaurant.
Restaurant safe for the public
Town spokeswoman
But the town has told Machelos to keep officials updated to ensure that any code violations are addressed. And officials including Town Manager
In the interview, Marchelos said that within the last 24 hours, electricians installed lighting for the restaurant; lights are also in place to serve as markers for passing boaters.
He said he posts employees at the pier around-the-clock to ensure no one uses the closed section for swimming, diving or fishing.
On Thursday, Marchelos had to turn away a visiting family of five from
He still wants to accommodate sightseers. On
Staff writer
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