The Venice Pier may be reopening sooner rather than later. City leaders decided to hire an emergency contractor to make minor repairs to the pier to get it reopened within the next few weeks. City Engineer Kathleen Weeden told ABC-7 an intermediate repair will allow the pier to be reopened temporarily while the city contracts out the rest of the work. She said damage caused by Hurricane Irma was largely contained to the end of the pier. However, engineers say some loose decking will eventually needed to be replaced, and that could cost as much as $700,000. The city has suggested there may be a new charge in the future for non-city residents fishing off the pier.
