City officials are citing delay from the lawsuit as a factor in Wharf’s collapse

At a Friday press conference, city officials pointed to a lawsuit from several residents under the name Don’t Morph the Wharf, saying it led to yearslong delays for parts of the Wharf Master Plan that could have strengthened the structure against storms and high surf.

“We have projects that have been ready to go that could have prevented this,” City Manager Matt Huffaker said, referring to city plans from 2015 to expand, renovate and reinforce the wharf.

“From my point of view, delay is disaster,” Keeley said about the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the group did not respond to a request for comment.