Posted on June 12, 2023
There is not one more universally recognized spot by those who have visited Fort Myers Beach than the Fort Myers Beach Pier. Perhaps nothing will signify that the island is back from the thrashing of Hurricane Ian than the reopening of the Fort Myers Beach Pier.
Yet the pier, which was ripped apart by Ian, has stood largely untouched for the last eight months. The pier, which is owned by the county, sits blocked off and closed from Times Square – almost in the same way it was closed three years ago during the covid outbreak.
And there is no timeline for when the repair of the pier will begin. Lee County Government has provided no date for when plan may start to repair the pier or when construction is expected.
Former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda said she is considering the start of a petition to reopen the pier. “If could be a beacon of hope by rebuilding that pier,” Cereceda said.
“I don’t think we’re close on what it’s going to cost and what it’s going to look like,” Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli (R-District 3) said.
“We all want to see the pier rebuilt,” Sandelli said. “I think it’s one of the iconic fixtures. The question is do we build it in the same place? My guess is it will be or nearby.”
Sandelli, whose district includes Fort Myers Beach, said the first few months of post-Ian have been spent trying to get the hardest-hit regions of the county “back to survivability.” Debris removal has been a major focus for the county. The county largely stopped picking up most debris on Fort Myers Beach in April, though Sandelli said the county is still handling some debris dumping.
Spokespersons for Lee County Government would only say that the pier is on the damaged inventory list of county projects expected to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency funding.
“Our Parks and recreation sites and facilities damaged by Ian are still going through the FEMA process,” county spokesperson Betsy Clayton said.
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said he has had “initial discussions” with county officials regarding the Fort Myers Beach Pier “but nothing more than that. No timelines have been discussed. The pier is very important to both Lee County and Fort Myers Beach. I have no doubt it will be rebuilt, just not sure on a timeframe yet.”
Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said “the rebuilding of the Pier is an important piece of the puzzle as the island seeks to rebuild. Getting folks back to their homes and businesses remains the priority. The Lee County Commissioners have been great partners in the rebuild and I envision working with them on a design that works well for both the Town and the County. I think all design options should be on the table for the new pier — not just replicating what was there previously.”
Town of Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Bill Veach said “the pier is a major attraction for the town. It will be part of the downtown redevelopment, once we can agree on what that looks like.”
Sandelli said the county wants to make sure it follows FEMA guidelines so it gets fully reimbursed for the work. “It takes time,” he said. “People are impatient and we understand it.”
Sandelli said its “frustrating that we can’t snap our fingers and make it happen.”
