Hometown News and Views

By Judy Wilson

Deerfield Beach – The long-awaited opening of the International Fishing Pier entry way is Friday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. Under construction for most of this year and in discussion for many months before that, this public structure will not disappoint beachgoers. From almost every angle, there are spectacular views of the ocean, the pier and the beach, delivered from buildings that are modern, elegant and understated.

Costing close to $5.5 million when fully completed, the pier will connect the north and south beach walkway and add a 2,600 square-foot beachfront restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, a second-story observation deck, spacious bait house, information center, parking for 24 vehicles and a lookout station for ocean rescue and BSO personnel. An arbor planted in flowering shrubs shelters the sidewalk approach to the entryway.

The front of the building is enhanced by the presence of two, seven-foot tarpon sculptures, acquired at the insistence of Mayor Peggy Noland, from a former beach restaurant owner. The sculptures are, noticeably, the city’s first public art installations except for the occasional deer shapes placed in the medians. They were created by Boynton Beach sculptor Ed Carey.

Architects are Garcia Stromberg. General contractor is Stiles Corporation. At the commission’s insistence, the pier buildings have been constructed to meet LEED requirements which means they are energy efficient, use materials that reduce greenhouse emissions and provide healthy indoor spaces.  Such certification requires constant oversight and does increase construction costs, Assistant City Manager Keven Klopp said.

On a tour of the new facility this week, both Klopp and Mayor Noland were smiling. “I like making things better, “ Klopp said. “And this is so much better than before.”

Noland, who has been a constant overseer of the project and who just this week stalled a contract for the pier restaurant on the grounds it did not meet the city’s criteria said, “I am so proud to have been able to be a part of this. I have absolutely no words to express that.”