News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Josh Orr looks out over the Blair Street pier while visiting the park in Alpena on Wednesday. High water levels have caused damage to the structure, and the city is trying to find funding to make the needed repairs.

ALPENA — Strong winds, ice, and high water levels in the Alpena area over the last several years have taken a toll on several areas along the shoreline of Lake Huron, including the Blair Street pier.

A plan is underway to repair the damaged structure now with water levels receding, but before the work commences, the city needs to find funding to pay for it.

The structure jettisons out into Thunder Bay and is a popular destination for residents and out-of-towners. Significant damage to the wooden deck and railings forced the city to close it to the public for many months. At the foot of the pier, caution tape warns the public to stay off of it.

At Monday’s Alpena Municipal Council meeting, engineer Rich Sullenger said he expects the project to cost less than $70,000, but, because the project isn’t budgeted for this year, the funds would need to come from savings.

Some on the council didn’t support using money that wasn’t budgeted, so in an attempt to fund the project without dipping into fund balance, the city will seek grants and other alternate funding sources to cover the cost of the repairs.

The job will go through the bid process and a more accurate cost will be known when bids are received.

Sullenger said the pier was built in the 1950s to help hide a stormwater discharge pipe, but also serves as a way for people to get out on the water and observe the lake, Sullenger said.

He hopes work will wrap up in the summer, but added it may have to wait until next spring.

“We have a lot of irons in the fire right now,” he said.

High water levels caused damage at other facilities in the city as well. Sections of sidewalk have been destroyed at the boar harbor and at Mich-e-ke-wis Park. The volleyball courts at Mich-e-ke-wis fell victim to the high water and were damaged too. The plan is to move them to another location.

Last summer, it wasn’t uncommon to go to the harbor, near the Kiwanis Kiddie Park, and see water covering the road and surrounding property leading to the breakwall. At times there were barricades in place to prevent traffic from driving down to the breakwall, where many people walk and enjoy the view of Lake Huron.

Sullenger said there was some minor flooding again this year, but it shouldn’t reach the seriousness of last year’s issues.

“I’m sure we’ll still see some coastal flooding when we get a storm event, with the wind and wave action,” Sullenger said. “I don’t think it will be as extensive as last year, and I certainly won’t rule it out.”