Naples city council to approve final landside design for Pier

NAPLES, Fla. —

Naples City Council is set to approve revised design plans today for the landside entrance of the Naples Pier. It's the part of the land you enter to walk onto the pier over water.

The presentation comes after months of discussion about safety, congestion and how the rebuilt pier should function once construction is complete.

The Naples Pier, first built in 1888, has been rebuilt several times after hurricanes. Most recently, Hurricane Ian devastated the structure in September 2022, destroying about half of it. Council voted later that year to rebuild and immediately secured permits, Federal Emergency Management Agency funding, and awarded a $23.5 million contract.

Gulf Coast News was there as the city officially broke ground on the project in January of this year.

While construction is underway, council members have continued refining the design, particularly at the landside entrance.

In June 2024, the council raised concerns about relocating the pier's concession area from mid-pier to the beach end, citing potential safety and crowding issues. Members asked staff to consider eliminating concessions altogether and to revisit plans for covered seating on the south side.

A year later, staff presented three options. Council agreed on what was called "Option 2," which scaled back the covered areas and added a Naples Police Department substation.

The updated design council will see today reflects that direction. The concession area has been eliminated. The shade structure on the south side has been reduced. Outdoor showers have been moved outside the shaded area to improve flow.

Plans now include a smaller north-side structure housing a police substation with an ADA-accessible restroom. The office will feature turtle-safe glass and space for officers to monitor cameras and connect with department resources. Storage space also remains part of the design.

City staff is recommending council approve the updated plans so formal direction can be given to the contractor.

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