Future of Holden Beach pier building and pier uncertain
HOLDEN BEACH, NC (WWAY) — It’s been more than a week since the Holden Beach pier building was demolished after standing for more than 70 years.
The building and the nearby pier, which is still standing, have been closed to the public since 2022 due to a lack of repairs.
Julie Dixon has been coming to Holden Beach for more than 20 years, and she’s not happy that the building was torn down and is concerned the pier could soon follow.
“I’m devastated,” Dixon said. “I fished here my whole life. Like I said, my children, my grandchildren, and the pier is just a part of our history. And I’m devastated, I want the pier.”
Before the pier building was torn down, some people in town were hoping to see a new structure in its place.’
Holden Beach resident and architect Greg Shue said a private group hired him about a year ago to create a design for a new pier building.
He said the beach needs a place that represents the town.
“The pier building has, for many years, served as a gathering place for the community,” Shue said. “Lots of memories are built here, I’ve built memories here. And I think that it would be an iconic landmark for the town as well.”
But Mayor Alan Holden said a proposal has not been presented to the town’s Board of Commissioners regarding the future of the pier or a new building and he doesn’t expect one anytime soon.
He said the Holden Beach pier may soon be gone as well.
“I think eventually the cost of it is going to be put to the public for a potential referendum or some kind of a polling thing,” Holden said. “And at that point in time, the price will be so high, I’ll be surprised if the public would support it. I think its possibly a plan to just do away with the pier.”
But Shue hopes the pier can be saved and that a new building will be put in its place, even if it’s not his own design.
“Yeah, I’d be happy to see another building. I’d be happy to participate on a different design. I think it’s important to have a pier building here.”
