Repairs underway at Santa Cruz Wharf 1 year since partial collapse
Restaurants and shops on the wharf will remain open throughout construction, expected to be completed by mid-March.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) -- Repairs are underway as Santa Cruz marks one year since powerful waves ripped off part of the wharf.
A large crane and construction equipment now sit at the end. Last year on December 23, three construction workers fell into the ocean after strong waves caused part of the wharf to collapse. Two of the workers were floating on a piece of debris.
ABC7 News spoke with Mike Godsy, the superintendent for the Parks and Recreation department.
"Honestly, it felt like a movie scene - it was a little bit surreal and when we learned that nobody was injured, that's that first checkpoint - okay, now what are we doing?" Godsy said.
Two workers were rescued by a lifeguard unit on jet skis, another swam to safety; 150 feet of the wharf fell into the ocean, including restrooms that floated half a mile down the coast. An engineering assessment found the surviving stretch of the wharf is structurally sound.
VIDEO: 3 fall into ocean after Santa Cruz Wharf collapses due to strong waves ahead of storm
Construction to rebuild started a month ago. The city says if a large swell were to come through, the structure could handle that pressure.
"Yes it's of concern, and so much so, we monitor the weather reports daily, we ensure we're in close communication with the construction team out there and that they have truly vetted safety plans should a large swell or storm event come through," Godsy said.
Stagnaro Bros. restaurant is a seafood staple. The restaurant borders where construction begins. Server Christina Howe was working that day, which also happens to be her birthday.
"I was like man this is my craziest one yet, like, out of all my birthdays this is going to be one I remember," Howe said.
MORE: What is the timeline for repairs to the partially collapsed Santa Cruz Wharf?
She doesn't remember feeling anything out of the ordinary.
"Lived here all my life and I'm used to the wharf swaying a little bit, so it just felt like a normal sway," Howe said.
Right after the collapse, around 20 businesses and restaurants on the wharf were closed for nearly two weeks during Christmas and New Year's Day.
"I think it shocked a lot of people, I think it shocked a lot of locals and even non-locals that I've talked to. Because a lot of our regulars fell off, and some of them still haven't came back because they're afraid of the wharf still," Howe said.
She hopes people will feel more comfortable again.
"I really love my job here and I really love working out here, and I really wish people would come back out here more often," Howe said.
RELATED: A look at how Santa Cruz wharf is back in business following partial pier collapse
Restaurants and stores on the wharf will remain open throughout construction, which is expected to be completed in mid-March.
"I mean, it feels great, we love this place, we love the wharf, we come here all the time, because we just love it, we love the ocean, we love the food, the seafood is amazing," Santa Cruz resident Greg Devries said.
Godsy says the level of professionalism from nearby agencies stands out in his mind from last year's event.
"It's just truly inspiring to see how quickly people can come together, build resources, take quick action on what happened and why, make those corrections and immediately start thinking of the future," Godsy said.
The city says it is building back roughly 1,100 square feet, with the potential to expand in the future.
