The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to direct staff to rebuild the Fort Myers Beach Pier to 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide, 70.85% longer and 50% wider than the pier destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
The design and permitting of the pier is expected to take up to 36 months, and construction would take a year to 18 months. The total construction cost is estimated at about $17.1 million, with about $11.6 million of that amount coming from Lee County Tourist Development Tax reserves to supplement the FEMA reimbursement.
By comparison, rebuilding the pier to its original footprint of 585.3 feet long and 8 feet wide, would result in an estimated total construction cost of about $5.6 million, with no cost to Lee County due to federal reimbursement. The design and planning for that effort was estimated at 18 months.
Commissioners’ discussion and vote occurred – per the agenda – during County Manager Items. Calling it an opportunity not to be missed, commissioners decided they wanted to create a pier that would be grander than the one destroyed in the September 2022 hurricane. Noting the length of time it will take to design, permit and build the pier, they also directed staff to post signage at the site of the destroyed pier so both residents and visitors would have insight into the plans and timeline.
The rebuilt pier will be in the same location as the destroyed pier. Adjacent Lee County sites include Lynn Hall Park and Crescent Beach Family Park. Information about those sites can be found at www.LeeParks.org.
To view today’s commissioners’ discussion of the pier project, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijk2qGdyHMc.
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