While Monterey’s iconic wharves bring in residents and tourists from all over year-round, the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury warns that serious structural issues are mounting and are calling on city leaders

The wharves — Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Commercial Wharf — have been rated in “poor” condition since at least 2017. Despite multiple inspections and reports from licensed engineering firms over the past seven years, many recommended repairs remain unaddressed, the report found.

The investigation revealed widespread deterioration of timber, steel, and concrete supports, exacerbated by storm damage and seawater corrosion. Some portions of the wharves are in “serious” condition, with visible cracks, rusted reinforcements, and weakened structural components supporting walkways, buildings and public access areas.

“The City of Monterey has failed to maintain the structural integrity of its wharves for many years,” the report states, warning that the ongoing neglect poses risks to public safety, tourism and the city’s historic legacy.

A key obstacle, the report notes, is a patchwork of outdated lease agreements that complicate repair responsibilities.

Leaseholders operating under contracts from 1991 are required to conduct structural inspections every three years — but they’re not obligated to make repairs recommended by city-commissioned reports unless their own engineers agree. More recent leases place the burden entirely on the city.

Meanwhile, regulatory red tape further delays action according to the report. Permits must be secured from a range of agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal Commission, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The report criticizes the city for not informing leaseholders about a 2020 Mitigated Negative Declaration, which could have helped streamline the permitting process.

Adding to the challenge: money. The city’s Tidelands Fund — fed primarily by wharf lease revenue — took in $3.3 million in 2024, but projected costs for necessary repairs over the next five years total at least $17 million.

City staff acknowledged the funding gap at a council meeting last June. While capital improvement programs have been created for both wharves, they fall well short of what’s needed according the report.

The Civil Grand Jury issued nine recommendations, including publicly reconciling conflicting engineering assessments, updating maintenance timelines, and identifying new funding sources. Responses from the Monterey City Council are required within 90 days.