The Martha's Vineyard Times

Contractor promises Memorial Wharf deck will open tomorrow

July 27, 2011

Photo by Steve Myrick

On Monday, the the Memorial Wharf viewing deck was empty of people. The contractor said it would be ready for visitors by noon Thursday. [More Photos]

The general contractor responsible for the restoration of Memorial Wharf in Edgartown told The Times Wednesday that the upper level viewing deck, popular with visitors and residents for the view it provides of the picturesque harbor, would be ready to open to the public by Thursday afternoon.

Work was expected to be completed by Memorial Day. That date was pushed back. Weather and a delay in the arrival of specialized materials had contributed to the delays, Mauricio Sampaio said in early July.

In a telephone conversation Wednesday, Mr. Sampaio apologized to the town and the public for the delay that he attributed to summer crowds and hot, humid weather that affected the drying time of materials and paint.

"It will be ready to open by noon," Mr. Sampaio said, "and it is beautiful."

New steel reinforcement is in place, the deck replanked, and wiring updated. All the rotted wood was removed.

Harbormaster Charlie Blair said he would also be relieved to see the deck completed and open to the public. He said new benches are scheduled to arrive in mid-August. "It's a wonderful place to view the harbor," he said.