CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Fans of Bob Hall Pier were surprised to hear how expensive the options were for dealing with the damages caused by Huricane Hanna in late July of this year.
An engineering firm submitted its report on the damages to the Nueces County Commissioners Court Wednesday afternoon.
The report estimates repairing the pier would cost $9,050,000 and that tearing it down would cost $12,960,000.
The commissioners declined to decide on which option to go with at today's meeting, but will take up the issue again at their next meeting December 16.
No matter which option they ultimately go with, angler Jody Johnson hopes the pier can reopen soon so she and her family can fish from it.
"That was one of the things that we really wanted to do," she said. "Being able to have safe family fun is a big deal."
Johnson also has a strong opinion about which option the county should choose.
The difference in the prices is around $4 million, and she thinks that's money well spent to give Bob Hall Pier a fresh start.
"If for only four million they can replace it and make it better for all the families in the area, I think I would probably go with completely replace[ing] it,” she said.
Beachgoer Abe Daher, who spent time at the beach near the pier today, agrees with Johnson.
"I guess I would say the 13 [million dollar option]," he said. "If you’re going to do it, do it right the first time. Get it done. Get it over with."
Daher too hopes the pier can reopen soon, so he and his six kids can enjoy it.
"It’s a nice place to be able to hang out and spend some time with the family,” he said.
