After numerous delays due to annoying hurricanes and equipment malfunctions, the Fort Myers Beach renourishment project is complete. Every Saturday morning for the last year we showed you how magnificent the wider beach looks and now it is ready for the 2025-2026 season for everyone to enjoy.
Nearly every inch of the 7 mile island received new sand from the $22 million project that began in July of 2024. Approximately 950,000 cubic yards of sand was dredged from the Gulf and placed onto Fort Myers Beach using bi pipes and pumping machines to keep the sand flowing south down the beach.
It’s hard to believe anyone on the island is happier than the residents and visitors at
Leonardo Arms on the south end. Their property was very badly damaged by Hurricane Ian with water that was nearly on top of one of the buildings even before the storm came through. As the project hopped back-and-forth from one end to the other to avoid bird nesting season and near their buildings it seemed like new sand would never arrive. When it did, it was a sight for several hundred sets of sore eyes. They now have hundreds of feet of new beach that should protect them from future storms.
Mike Albanese owns a unit in Leonardo Arms. “The beach renourishment project has been a life saver for Leonardo Arms, specifically building 2. Hopefully this will protect us from further storms of smaller magnitude. I understand a category 4/5 is devastating, but smaller storms shouldn’t be, and with this sand we are hopeful that we can remain open with minimal damage when smaller storms pass by. Either way it’s a great lifeline.”
Matt Houser also owns in Leonardo Arms. “All of us at Leonardo Arms are so grateful for the beach, nourishment project, not just only for the protection, but also for the beautiful expanded beach. Also, we are so grateful to Chad (Fort Myers Beach Marine Operations Project Manager Chad Chustz), for his consistent updates on the project. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Fort Myers Beach Town Manager Will McKannay said completing the beach renourishment project marks a major milestone in the town’s recovery and resilience as a community. “This project not only restores our shoreline for residents and visitors to enjoy, but it also strengthens our natural defenses against storms and coastal erosion. I want to thank our partners at the state, county, and federal levels, as well as our residents, for their patience and support throughout this process. Together, we’re building a stronger, safer, and more beautiful Fort Myers Beach”
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt is also very happy with the way the beach renourishment project turned out for island residents and visitors. “The post-Hurricane Ian beach renourishment project has been transformational for our island. Well over $50 million dollars of federal, state, county and local tax dollars has been invested to make Fort Myers Beach once again one of the best beaches in America. One can now walk the entire length of our seven mile island beach no matter if it is high tide or low tide—it is simply spectacular.”
With this $22 million beach renourishment project complete, on top of the previous truck-haul sand replacement project, Fort Myers Beach is now home to over $50 million worth of new sand (1.3 million yards). The $22 Million beach renourishment project was funded through multiple sources: Lee County, The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FEMA and the town.
Up next is the planting of dune vegetation which acts as a buffer to keep sand from blowing off the beach during storms. The vegetation is also covered by the $22 million. You may recall THIS WALKAROUND we did back in June at Vacation Villas (next to The Pink Shell) where the vegetation behind the building prevented a lot of damage by Ian and could have saved their building.
