Lee County leaders approve $11.7 million to rebuild Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. —

Lee County leaders approved millions of dollars to officially bring back the Fort Myers Beach pier, nearly four years after it was destroyed.

The pier rebuild has faced delays due to the government shutdown and pending permit approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Today, Lee County is taking a step forward to officially begin this process.

The project's price tag is more than $11.7 million. About $7 million is coming from bed tax dollars paid by tourists when they come to visit. The remaining $4.7 million is covered by state emergency management funding.

The plan includes a nearly 1,000-foot-long pier built with stronger materials like concrete pilings and a concrete deck to be more resilient during future storms. Additionally, extra shade structures will be added for visitors' comfort on hot days.

The pier has been known as one of the most iconic spots of Fort Myers Beach, offering fun, fishing, and business opportunities. Despite today's approval, the county is still waiting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' approval to begin the rebuild.

Marilynn Baker, a Fort Myers resident, expressed her excitement about the progress. "I'm just excited to see all the work they've done so far. I walk over here every morning, and I'm glad to see progress, even though it's slow," Baker said. "I was here right after Ian, so it's been a long time coming."

There is currently no timeline for the permit approval. Commissioner Brian Hamman told Gulf Coast News last week that he personally spoke to Army Corps leaders, who admitted the review has taken longer than it should but are committed to helping expedite the process.

Once the permit is approved, construction will begin within 30 days. The project is expected to take about a year to complete.

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