After years of debate, the Holden Beach Fishing Pier is headed for demolition. The pier has been closed to the public since 2022, and in October an underwater inspection led the town’s inspections director to formally condemn it. On Oct. 27, 2026, the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with taking it down, while keeping the door open to building a new one. Here is what the decision means for island homeowners, rental owners and buyers.
What the Board Decided
According to The Brunswick Beacon’s Nov. 5, 2026 report, the underwater inspection revealed structural deficiencies, and Inspections Director Tim Evans formally condemned the pier on Oct. 12. At the Oct. 27 meeting, commissioners unanimously directed staff to:
- Secure the pier
- Solicit demolition proposals
- Begin the permitting process for both demolition and a potential replacement
The board chose to pursue state permits for demolition and replacement at the same time. Evans said that approach requires preliminary site plan and engineering documents for a possible replacement, but not a complete design.
Not the end of a pier at Holden Beach
Several commissioners made it clear that demolition does not have to mean the end of a fishing pier. Commissioner Robert Brown suggested building a new pier in phases, possibly with a pier house later. Commissioner Keith Smith said he does not favor tearing it down without a replacement plan, and believes a new pier could be financed without raising property taxes, pointing to previously budgeted funds, potential fund balance and private donations. The Beacon reports a pledge drive he started in May had generated about $516,000 in pledges.
Mayor Pro Tem Page Dyer emphasized a long-term vision for the property, mentioning options such as a restaurant or another pier. She also noted the town bought the property not only for the pier, but to secure public beach access, emergency access and parking.
How We Got Here
The town bought the pier and its property in 2022. As the Beacon recounts, a previous board voted to have an engineering firm set a not-to-exceed cost to demolish and rebuild a wooden pier, then placed a referendum on the November 2025 ballot asking voters to approve up to $7.3 million in general obligation bonds for the project. That referendum failed. We covered the run-up to the Oct. 27 meeting in our post on the Holden Beach pier report and winter parking.
What Comes Next
No design or plan for the property has been finalized. The board discussed involving university students in developing concepts and pursuing an economic impact study on replacement options, and Assistant Town Manager Christy Ferguson said staff will research those ideas and report back. The board also indicated it plans to seek public input before a final decision. In the near term, watch for:
- Demolition proposals and their costs
- State permit applications for demolition and replacement
- Any public input sessions on the property’s future
- Budget discussions about how a replacement might be paid for
What It Means for Holden Beach Homeowners
A pier is a community landmark, a fishing spot and a draw for visitors. For homeowners, the decision touches a few practical issues:
- Town finances: How a replacement is funded matters. The 2025 bond vote showed residents are cautious about taxpayer-backed debt, and commissioners are talking about budgeted funds and donations instead. Our post on Holden Beach’s fire station plan shows other projects competing for the same dollars.
- Construction activity: Demolition will eventually bring equipment and work near the pier property. Owners nearby should watch for schedule announcements.
- Public access: Because the town values the property for beach access, emergency access and parking, those uses are likely to remain part of any plan.
What It Means for Buyers and Rental Investors
If you are shopping on Holden Beach, a future pier or recreation space could add to the island’s appeal for guests and full-time residents. But since there is no design, timeline or funding plan yet, base your purchase on today’s island, not on what may be built. If rental income is part of the plan, our Holden Beach vacation rental guide walks through the numbers, and our Holden Beach town guide covers daily life on the island.
Holden Beach Pier FAQ
Is the Holden Beach pier open?
No. It has been closed to the public since 2022, and it was formally condemned on Oct. 12, 2026.
When will the pier be demolished?
No date has been set. The town must solicit demolition proposals and obtain permits first.
Will Holden Beach build a new pier?
Commissioners voted to seek permits for a potential replacement at the same time as demolition, and several support a new pier. No design, cost or funding plan has been finalized.
Will a new pier raise property taxes?
Nothing has been decided. One commissioner said he believes it could be done without a tax increase using budgeted funds, fund balance and donations, but that is not yet a board decision.
Talk With a Holden Beach Team
Whether you own on Holden Beach or are thinking about buying, we follow island decisions so you do not have to. Contact Aspyre Collective to talk through what this means for a specific property or to start your search.
