Naples Pier demolition gets underway to make room for replacement

NAPLES, Fla. —

The Naples Pier, a cherished spot on the beach, is getting an upgrade after Hurricane Ian destroyed it in 2022, with the project expected to cost $24 million and take a year and a half to complete.

Crews have started the demolition of the piers' remains to make way for the new one.

Grace and Bob Klump, frequent visitors to the pier, expressed their excitement about the reconstruction.

"It's the timeline nowadays for things. I mean, it is a big project, but I remember after the hurricane, they were able to get the causeway across the Sanibel quite quickly. I know that's different than the pier, but it was a whole road," Bob Klump said.

The new pier is designed to be more resilient, featuring larger pilings and standing three feet higher to better withstand storms.

Bryn Inman, of Naples, shared her thoughts on the project. "I do think it's worth the wait. It might hopefully be a good sign that it's taken this long because it will be so great when it's finished," she said.

During demolition, detour signs are directing visitors where to park and walk to access the beach, and portable toilets are stationed by the beach access since the old bathrooms at the pier's entrance are no longer available.

The city anticipates that the initial phase of demolition will take about six months before moving forward with building the new pier.

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