Collier County commissioners unanimously approved a plan allowing the city of Naples to use eight boat trailer spaces and part of the docks at Bayview Park to offload debris from the Naples Pier.
Once permits are finalized, crews will begin removing debris caused by Hurrican eIfrom above and below the water. A barge will transport the material to Bayview Park for up to two days a week, where it will be dried, sorted and hauled to a landfill.
Wayne Barnes, who frequently visits Naples from Canada, says he is excited progress is coming.
"It was always a great place to come and visit for my grandchildren and for my wife and I. And we miss it. And we'd like to see it returned to its former glory," said Wayne.
His wife, Kathy Barnes, said the pier holds historical significance.
"It's such an integral part of the history. That's what I love about coming here. And when it was destroyed, it was just heartbreaking, really," said Kathy.
County officials say the cleanup will not impact public access to Bayview Park or its boat ramp. Work will take place on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no operations on weekends or holidays unless agreed otherwise by the city and county.
The debris removal project is expected to take four to six months, and the entire pier is expected to take 18 months to rebuild.