Oscoda Waterfront Recreation and Fishing Pier

Spicer Group assisted Oscoda Township by designing a new waterfront recreation and fishing pier on Lake Huron. The landmark pier is one of only a few that have been constructed along an unprotected Great Lakes shoreline. Spicer Group’s architects and structural engineers worked closely together to develop a design that would withstand the extreme environments of Lake Huron including routine damaging ice flows, storms, waves and fluctuating water levels. The design had to pass inspection from the Army Corps of Engineers which required the final constructed pier to last a minimum of 50 years. The project was constructed, and the public now enjoys the new 8-foot wide, 150-foot-long wooden boardwalk that leads to a 14-foot-wide, 320-foot long pier that expands out into Lake Huron. 

The superstructure sits on top of 4 massive piers and is designed to incorporate an additional section of walkway in the future. The pier is equipped with accessible fishing areas, new ADA benches as well as lighting that gives the pier identity in the evening hours. Funding for the project was provided through a DNR Trust Fund Grant, Great Lakes Fisheries Trust Grant, a Coastal Zone Grant, and local matching funds. Spicer was responsible for the survey, architectural, engineering design, construction inspection administration/inspection and grant administration tasks. Funding for the project was provided through a Michigan DNR Trust Fund Grant of $460,000.