Santa Cruz wharf to reopen Saturday after December collapse

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The Santa Cruz wharf is set to reopen on Saturday, less than two weeks after a portion of the wharf collapsed and floated away during severe coastal storms. 

Crews last week worked to go into the ocean and salvage equipment, including a crane, that fell into the water, as well as completing a structural integrity assessment of the wharf. 

RELATED: 3 fall into ocean after Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapses, floats away

The City of Santa Cruz will host a reopening ceremony on Saturday at 10 a.m. 

According to the city, the wharf has been deemed safe to open by sonar and engineering assessments. 

The crane that fell into the ocean was found about 160 feet southeast of the wharf. City officials say the crane is stuck in place, but a safe distance away. 

Saturday's reopening ceremony will also be livestreamed on the city's Facebook page. 

Santa Cruz City Council Member Scott Newsom said in a statement that the community's response to the wharf collapse was a testament to the city's perseverance and resilience. 

"Seeing city staff, residents, and business owners come together to quickly recover from this incident is a beautiful example of what keeps Santa Cruz strong," he said.

Cars will not be allowed in the area around the wharf due to Saturday's reopening ceremony. The city said cars will not be allowed to drive beyond Marini's Candles and will have to turn around at the east parking lot.