To repair, extend, or replace: Residents discuss future of Holden Beach Pier

HOLDEN BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A packed crowd filled the room at Holden Beach Town Hall as residents gathered to discuss the fate of the town’s pier, which has been closed due to safety concerns since its purchase in 2022.

The town is working to renovate the pier. Its engaged an architect to draft repair plans with a budget of $1.1 million. However, bids for the project exceeded expectations, with the lowest bid coming in around $2 million.

Now, town officials are deliberating the next course of action as they face the discrepancy between budget and bids. Many residents voiced their preference for a completely new pier rather than continuing costly repairs on the aging structure.

Steve Watson, a resident of the island, emphasized the need for further studies before any decisions are finalized.

“On a business end, it’s going to come down to cost benefit. Getting estimates of the revenue that’s generated by different things. Extending the pier and perhaps getting more fishing, the restaurants, what have you,” said Watson. “There’s so much civic involvement I gotta believe that at the end of the day we’re gonna have the best pier for Holden Beach and its going to continue to be a great place.”

Residents have until March 8 to submit their comments online regarding the current plan to heather@hbtownhall.com.