Monterey’s wharves are in a never-ending cycle of decay. A grant helps fund much-needed repairs.

Aric Sleeper here, reporting about my morning spent on Municipal Wharf 2 on Tuesday, March 10, or “the real wharf,” as some local fishermen refer to it. Although the sweeping views of Monterey Bay are a sight to behold on top of the structure, the view from below isn’t so great, with years of deferred maintenance that will take tens of millions of dollars to repair.

Monterey city staff, officials and local leaders gathered to celebrate $1.92 million in federal dollars secured by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, for much-needed repairs to the wooden structure, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2026.

“This funding is critical for us because we have a number of unmet needs for our wharf infrastructure,” Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira says. “Municipal Wharf 2 serves as the primary commercial wharf for the fishing industry here in Monterey and so the funding will help ensure that the infrastructure continues to be maintained and we can continue to serve the commercial fishermen and the visitors, who enjoy the views of the bay.”

Rojanasathira mentioned that Municipal Wharf 2 is maintained by the City of Monterey and is paid for by marina fees and other funding sources. The city’s Public Works Department staff was also on hand to talk about some of the ways the federal funds will be used.

“We implemented some emergency deck repairs in 2025 and we have critical needs beyond that,” Senior City Engineer Max Rieser says. “We’ll do a continuation of decking and pile repair underneath. This wharf is 100 years old this year. Timber in a marine environment, it’s always rotting. This funding is very welcome and we have the need.” 

Reiser said that roughly 30 piles on Wharf 2 are currently in need of repair or replacement, which can run around $30,000 or more each.

“This funding is huge,” Interim City Manager Lew Bauman says. “It continues to be an important working wharf, but after 100 years the wood infrastructure starts to decay. So, potentially, over a decade period, this could be a $50 million project to rehabilitate it.” 

So why continue to throw money at a 100-year-old structure that is expensive to maintain and is constantly degrading? Panetta has an answer for that.

“You’ve got Sal Tringali’s Monterey Fish Company, Art Seavey’s Monterey Abalone Company, and Art’s here today, and then you’ve got Adam Aliotti’s spot prawns that I picked up the other day,” Panetta says. “And since 1926, that’s what Wharf 2 has provided this community: fishing, food and sustenance for our families here in Monterey. Wharf 2 supports active fishing and recreational boating. It supports restaurants and the related businesses.”

Panetta mentioned that Mayor Tyller Williamson had reached out to his office about the degrading state of Wharf 2, following an assessment by the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury that lambasted the “poor” state of Monterey’s two wharves, which led to Panetta securing the $1.92 million award.

“This investment is not only to preserve this landmark: Wharf 2,” Panetta says. “But it protects our economy, our industries and it perpetuates who we are and what we stand for as a community.”