Only restaurants in Santini Plaza generate more interest than the Fort Myers Beach pier. Everyone wants to eat on the South End and everyone wants to know when the new pier will be built. The answer to both has been elusive.
On Wednesday we were the first to reveal the new renderings of the pier from Lee County on our Facebook page. The new pier will be 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide. That’s 71% longer and 50% wider than the pier destroyed by the storm. The Board of County Commissioners approved over $17 million to build the longer and wider pier back in June of 2024. $11 million for the project will come from Tourist Development Council reserve funds. The balance will be paid by FEMA.
While it’s been 3 years since Hurricane Ian a big part of the delay blame has been placed at the feet of FEMA for taking so long to obligate the funds, and the Army Corps of Engineers, who take a painstakingly long time to approve permits, 16 months for this permit. The original target date for completion of the pier was Summer of 2028. Lee County Commissioner David Mulick said back in February that after pressure from the county, an entire year was shaved off from that timeline and the pier would be ready to walk on in the Summer of 2027.
Here’s what might derail Mulicka’s new shorter timeline.
It’s anticipated that Lee County will go before the Fort Myers beach LPA for a special exception “to allow the like-for-like reconstruction of the pier with elevated walkways, shade structures, lighting and fish cleaning stations in the EC zoning district seaward of 1978 CCCL.” And while town staff recommends approval of the special exception it’s under a condition that no work be done at all during turtle nesting season which is May 1st through October 31st. And failure to comply would render the special exception “null and void.”
Love the passion here! If we could bottle it, we’d have enough energy to rebuild the pier in a week. However, Some of these comments drift on like rip currents a little grammar and clarity could bring them safely back to shore 🙂
I posted on Facebook about this because to me one how long does it take to build a pier to 17 million seriously has anybody taken the time to go to a hardware store and all different places to find out what’s gonna cost for all the items and then figure out the labor cost I just don’t think 17 million is what it’s gonna cost to build a dang pier along with the fact that dragging it out is only gonna take more time and why is it being drugged out? There’s always an excuse. I’ve never understood why it takes so long to do road construction build a pier fix a bridge it just has never seen to me to be very legitimate like why why are they dragging crap out put it back the way it was yeah better but seriously houses cost less to build why is it costing $17 Million and why is it taking so long?
Dragged is correct.
This is going to be great. Ya get a real slice of America reading these comments. We certainly make room for all types!
The pier was an eyesore. Remove the pilings, which are also an eyesore. I don’t understand how people can look at those pilings, see that they’re an eyesore, but somehow think a pier on top of them would look nice! I think Fort Myers Beach would benefit greatly from being one of the most beautiful beaches without a big ugly pier with a big, ugly price tagblocking the view.
The mayor and politicians are stupid.They blame FEMA you already have structure in place use it . Construction is costly save the taxpayer money. How do I know 40 years in reinforced concrete
Seriously, 17 million ? This is why or country (USA) is in tremorale. Your building a bridge that supports PEOPLE ! I’m I the only one that thinks this proposal is way out of line. As a structural engineer, there’s is NO way I could approve funding for this project. Reason being, you already have CONCRETE piers in Place. Come on with the B.S. Are the Ft Meyers people that naive ? I don’t think so. Just another kick back off taxpayer’s Back. Tu.
Ft Myers tourism has been seriously affected by the delays to rebuild the pier and restaurants/ stores once visited by visitors and local residents. Time to get started and move forward.
After Ian I stated it would be almost 10 years before the new pier was in service.
I stand by my comment.
Taj Mahal!
It cannot come soon enough. It will we longer than 3 football fields. WOW. Super excited. Let’s get it done!!!!
I’ve literally never heard anything more ridiculous than stopping work for 6 months because of turtles. They always have and always will find a nesting spot !!
I don’t understand why a bigger and better pier is necessary; just build it back the way it was. Also I don’t understand why there is an inordinate concern about the sea turtles; I thought that the majority of them nested at the south end of the island. Besides, wildlife has a wonderful ability to adapt, unlike their human counterparts. Interrupting construction on the pier will only increase the costs for the project and push completion out farther.
What is the reason for the raised section closer to the sand?
This may seem like a stupid question but, why does FEMA pay for any of the reconstruction?
FEMA pays for a wide variety of rebuilding things destroyed by natural disasters.
Agree. Construction of the pier should not be interrupted. The time square and pier area are high traffic areas for tourists. Considering the high human traffic turtle nests are unlikely, the additional cost for start and stop of a contractor, and the delay of FMB town rebuild there should be no restrictions for the pier rebuild. Please LPA and Town Council let us get back asap.
Fish cleaning stations?
Hopefully innards won’t end up in the waters of that bathing beach.
There were fish cleaning stations on the pier before. The birds and fish and other critters keep the “innards” from reaching the shallows.
I’m confused as to why we need a bigger pier? The only time there are more than a handful of people fishing is during the 3 months of peak season. The other nine months, the pier is almost vacant. With that said, why didn’t TC appeal to Lee County/FEMA to divert some of those funds to local residents, businesses and infrastructure to help rebuild? We need money for that, we don’t need a bigger pier or higher property taxes.
Town Council has no standing to jump in between LeeCo and FEMA for pier rebuild funds. Funding given for specific purposes cannot simply be “diverted.”
And the town has sought and received from FEMA a significant amount of funding that benefits FMB.
Carol,
Short term your suggestion on the surface seems right. Longer term, the proposed new pier will be a destination point. It will attract fishermen, water lovers and more. It will become an asset that will lift all property values. Build it and they will come as the movie says
Omg. The work cannot stop once it starts. That will increase costs astronomically. Having a company stop its workforce & relocate for 6 months then move the equipment & staff back again. Maybe twice. Ridiculous. Just get it done.
How About the fishing pier under matanzas Pass Bridge. Is the city made any decision on that and also the period on the Inland side of voltage Point how about that is it going to be rebuilt. I’m betting the city of Estero will get a fishing pier built before Fort Myers Beach gets stairs time will tell