Naples City Council members are changing course on the new Naples Pier, favoring a stripped-down version with no food concessions, even though it may delay the long-awaited rebuild by six months or more, according to the developer.
At Monday’s council workshop, members reviewed two pier designs. The first, already permitted by the city and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, includes concessions, showers, benches, and storage. That plan only needs sign-off from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before moving forward.
The second design removes some land-based amenities, including the snack shack, and instead proposes a private restroom and storage space for Naples Police. Council reached verbal consensus to move forward with this no-frills version, though no official vote could be taken, due to the fact that Monday's meeting was only a workshop.
The builder warned that choosing the new option means the city must restart the federal review process, pushing the project to the back of the line with the Army Corps of Engineers. Naples officials acknowledged the potential delay but expressed confidence that the more modest plan might actually move faster through red tape.
“Everything takes time,” said one beachgoer, reacting to the shift in plans.
Several residents at the beach voiced frustration that food and drinks wouldn’t be returning.
“It would be very convenient. We don’t carry a cooler down here. Would be nice to have that option," a resident said.
“Moms can gather up all the stuff the night before and get in the car and just bring them (kids) on down, and knowing that there’s a place to do their snacks and everything down at the end of the pier would be wonderful," another resident said.
Despite public support for food service, City Councilors cited a survey taken in 2024 that showed food service was not a top priority for approximately 10,000 residents. The city is moving ahead with the simpler plan, for now. Officials said if the delay becomes excessive, they’ll revisit the decision.
Once the Army Corps signs off, demolition of the existing pier and construction of a new one are expected to take 18 months, according to the city's project manager.
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