$17 million Fort Myers Beach pier project breaks ground Friday in major recovery milestone

Construction is set to begin on the Fort Myers Beach pier, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, with a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the $17 million project. Frank Simonelli, who has been visiting Fort Myers Beach for 12 years, shared his memories of the pier. "I would walk out on the pier. [I'd] watch people fishing, the kids the little snack bar at the end of the pier where you could get an ice cream or a cold drink. You know, it was a lot of good memories, a lot of fun," Simonelli said. Simonelli has seen the town at its best and its worst, including the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. "It was heartbreaking after Ian, when all of our favorite places down here were gone," he said. The project, nearly four years in the making, is primarily funded by grants and tourism tax revenue, with FEMA covering the remaining costs. "I'm glad it's finally taken off. It's been missed," Simonelli said. Lee County officials noted that the parts of the beach people can access near the pier will change as the project progresses. Construction areas are marked by signs and fencing. The county added that visitors and residents should stay away from restricted areas and heed instructions from construction personnel. Abigail Eberhart, a representative of the Town of Fort Myers Beach, described the pier's reconstruction as a significant milestone for the community. "I think this is a major inflection point for the island," Eberhart said. "That pier being done, that pier being worked on, is a symbol that this beach is coming back and will come back." Simonelli expressed his hope for the town's recovery. "I'm glad that Fort Myers Beach is starting to come back alive again," he said. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday. County officials recommend people use rideshare services or public transportation if they plan to attend. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.