Local News in Brief : Pier Renovation Plan OKd

A long-awaited, $20.6-million plan to renovate the Santa Monica Pier has been given the go-ahead, despite a last-minute protest by some merchants who work at the pier.

The plan, approved unanimously by the City Council late Tuesday night, calls for a $13.6-million development, including restaurants, amusement games, rides and shops, on 134,000 square feet of the pier. The city will spend $7 million to upgrade lighting, railings and sewers, strengthen the pier’s platform and make other repairs.

A second phase of the project, yet to be voted on, calls for development of another 16,000 square feet with $6.2 million in city and private funds.

Some merchants, who distributed hundreds of flyers to protest the plan, said they are afraid the development will mean a “gentrification” of the pier that will force them out of business.