Fort Myers Beach Pier Rebuild Moves Forward

After being destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, the iconic Fort Myers Beach fishing pier is one step closer to making its return, and it’s coming back bigger, stronger, and more cost efficient than originally expected.

Lee County commissioners officially approved an $11.7 million construction contract with RJ Gorman Contracting LLC, a Panama City-based firm, to demolish the remaining structure and build a brand-new pier.

A Bigger, Better Pier for the Future

The new design reflects both resilience and vision for the future of Fort Myers Beach. Plans call for a 1,000 foot long, 12 foot wide pier, making it approximately:

• 70% longer than the previous pier
• 50% wider, allowing for more space and improved accessibility
• Built with reinforced concrete piles for enhanced durability

This expanded footprint is expected to better accommodate visitors, anglers, and tourists while improving long-term storm resistance.

Lower Costs & Funding Sources

In a positive development for taxpayers, the winning bid came in significantly below expectations:

• $4.2 million less than the next lowest bid
• More than $5 million below earlier cost estimates

Funding for the project includes:

• $7 million from tourist development taxes
• $4.7 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management

Additional funding may be secured through the RESTORE Act, tied to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Addressing Concerns & Oversight

While the lower bid raised some public concerns about contractor experience and potential cost increases, county officials confirmed that RJ Gorman Contracting was thoroughly vetted and deemed qualified. The company has previous experience rebuilding coastal infrastructure, including a pier project in Mexico Beach, Florida.

To ensure transparency, any change orders exceeding $100,000 will require approval from the Lee Board of County Commissioners.

Permitting Delays Continue

Although the project has received approval from the State of Florida and the Town of Fort Myers Beach, final permitting remains a key hurdle.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet completed its review, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is conducting an environmental and historic preservation compliance review.

Officials have noted that federal-level delays, including impacts from a Department of Homeland Security shutdown, are slowing progress.

Timeline & What to Expect

Once all permits are secured, construction is expected to take approximately one year, depending on weather conditions.

The return of the Fort Myers Beach pier is more than just a construction project, it represents a major step in the continued recovery and revitalization of the area following Hurricane Ian.

A Symbol of Resilience for Fort Myers Beach

For residents, visitors, and local businesses, the pier has long been a central gathering place and a defining feature of Fort Myers Beach. Its rebuilding signals not only progress but a renewed commitment to the community’s future.

As Southwest Florida continues to rebuild and grow, projects like this play a vital role in restoring both infrastructure and the coastal lifestyle that draws people to the region.

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