Letter to Governor Newsom regarding Oceanside Pier Restoration

April 30, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Request for Support and Funding for Oceanside Pier Restoration

Dear Governor Newsom,

We, the undersigned legislators, are devastated to see the Oceanside Pier severely damaged by fire on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Since the late 19th century, the Oceanside Pier has served as a landmark of our coastal identity and maritime heritage in Southern California. Rebuilding the historic pier as quickly as possible is paramount and will likely require financial support from the State of California.

Collectively, we send our deepest gratitude for the swift and coordinated response to the Oceanside Pier fire by multiple parties. Particularly, we commend the Oceanside Fire Department for their exceptional response time of just five minutes. Their prompt action undoubtedly played a crucial role in preventing further escalation of the situation and minimizing damage. Furthermore, we extend our appreciation to the Oceanside Police Department, Carlsbad Fire Department, Vista Fire Department, Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services, San Diego Gas & Electric, U.S. Coast Guard, Oceanside Lifeguards, California Office of Emergency Services, and all other partners who provided support in extinguishing the fire. Their collective efforts underscore a deep commitment to public safety.

The Oceanside Pier holds significant historical and coastal importance, not only for the local community but also for the entire Southern California region. The damage to the pier hurts local tourism, nearby small businesses, and the community as a whole.

As the damage is assessed, we respectfully ask that you stay positioned to support Southern California and the City of Oceanside with any emergency funding to address the repair and remediation needs. Investing in the restoration of this iconic landmark is not only essential for preserving our heritage but also for uplifting the local economy and ensuring the continued prosperity of the region.

Once again, we thank your administration for its commitment to Southern California and thank the dedicated first responders for their incredible cooperation to address this emergency. We remain hopeful that with your support, we can expediently identify emergency funding for recovery and restoration of the Oceanside Pier.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, and we look forward to your response.

Respectfully,

Senator Catherine Blakespear
District 38

Senator Steve Padilla
District 18

Assemblymember David Alvarez
District 80

Assemblymember Brian Maienschein
District 76

Assemblymember Laurie Davies
District 74

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones
District 40

Assemblymember Tasha Boerner
District 77

Cc:
Christine Aurre, Office of Governor Newsom
Maurice Lyles, Office of Governor Newsom
Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, District 2
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, District 29
Mayor Esther Sanchez, Oceanside
Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim, Oceanside
Councilmember Eric Joyce, Oceanside
Councilmember Rick Robinson, Oceanside
Councilmember Peter Weiss, Oceanside
County Supervisor Jim Desmond, District 5
U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, 49th Congressional District