Oak Island votes to buy Yaupon Pier

The Oak Island Town Council voted to approve the purchase of the Yaupon Beach Pier Tuesday night. But with many development projects already underway on the island, its just another job on the busy town to-do list.

Bob Whitworth is an Oak Island local and fisherman and he absolutely loves the idea. “I think it’s the greatest thing that’s happened on the island in a very, very long time.”

Whithworth is referring to Oak Island Town Council’s decision to buy the Yaupon Pier, and while the council’s actions faced some criticism, Whithworth is not alone.

Bruce Corrie is also a local. He said, “I also think it’s a nice tourist attraction. People like to walk out on it, take their kids out on it, you know whether it’s in the daylight or the moonlight.”

Still others say the pier is valuable because it makes the North Carolina shore unique.

“I mean you can go anywhere and find condos and town homes and things like that. But very seldom can you find a nice pier that you can go to a lot and just have fun and enjoy a family day,” said Walter Hall who is also in favor of the pier.

Residents said they were concerned when the Yaupon Pier closed last December, but now that the towns agreed to buy it, they are happy it won’t suffer the same fate as the Long Beach Pier. ”A developer bought it, it’s been sold, and it’s been gone. Everyone’s been totally upset about it,” one local remembered about the Long Beach Pier.

And with only one pier currently open, locals said they have noticed the difference. Now that the decision is made, beach goers want to see the pier open sooner than later.

The town of Oak Island is in the middle of some big undertakings. Along with the pier, the town is building a new fire department, sewer system, and town hall. Oak Island Mayor Johnny Vereen said he is excited the town saved a historical place. He points out the $1.5 million price tag is $700,000 less than originally planned.