VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Repairs are underway at the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, and a plan is tentatively set to re-open the pier by April 1.
"It's something we want to do both safely and thoughtfully,' said D. Nachnani, a spokesman with the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier.
In late January, a 57-year-old man drove off the pier in an incident that was captured on video and shocked countless people across Hampton Roads and the nation.
The vehicle was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean nearly a week later, on Feb. 2. On that day, officials confirmed the vehicle was a red Nissan Kicks and had one person inside.
In the days that followed the crash, recovery efforts were hampered by poor water conditions. To help with recovery, the Portsmouth-based private contractor Crofton Industries stepped in, bringing a salvage barge, along with professional salvage divers to try to recover the vehicle.
Since that day a small memorial has grown beside the pier, as crews work on repairing the pier.
"I know the pier owners are actively working with the City of Virginia Beach's permitting department and they are trying their best to get the pier open so that it is safe and welcoming," Nachnani said.
The pier has been a landmark for the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for more than 50 years.
Nachnani said the pier owners want to maintain the delicate balance of acknowledging what happened, while also providing joy and healing to the community.
"Mental health is certainly a discussion going towards repairing the pier," Nachnani said. "We want to do this right, while also providing the services of the pier and re-kindling that joy."