The distant view of Romeo Pier is a rustic reminder of the bygone sardine fishing/cannery era in Princeton by the Sea. The reality revealed in close up, however, is a long-neglected, badly deteriorated relic that has been falling piece by piece into the harbor for years, with the inevitable collapse possible in the next big storm. In 2013, MCC raised concerns about an imminent marine debris disaster. The Harbor District has obtained permits and contracted for pier removal during June 2018 at a cost of $2.3 million. See District pier demo page for ongoing updates.)

When Romeo Packing switched from fish-based to chemical fertilizer in the 1970’s, the Harbor District began leasing the pier, and then purchased it outright in 1996 for $185,000, even though they did not own land access.  At the same time the District decided NOT to buy the half-acre boatyard on Princeton shoreline for $200,000. The same Harbor Commission 3-2 majority prevailed on both votes. Only two years later, in 1998, Romeo Pier was permanently closed as unsafe, with decking collapsing and many pilings no longer reaching the ground.