Lee Commissioners award contract to reconstruct, expand Fort Myers Beach fishing pier

The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment Tuesday to rebuilding and expanding the Fort Myers Beach fishing pier, voting to award a $11.7 million construction contract for the project.

The reconstruction by RJ Gorman Contracting LLC  will extend the pier to roughly 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide, or more than 70% longer and 50% wider than the pier destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September 2022.

The pier will incorporate reinforced concrete piles, a concrete deck, aluminum railings, an entry gate and three shade structures, establishing the pier as a durable community landmark. Construction will start after all permits are received and is expected to take about a year.

The Board approved the design phase of this project in April 2024. Given the project’s scope and complexity, numerous permits are necessary before construction commences. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection sanctioned the project on Sept. 3, 2025; a special exception was granted by the Town of Fort Myers Beach on Nov. 19, 2025; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently conducting a review.

Construction is expected to commence upon obtaining final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. FEMA is conducting the EHP (Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation) compliance review.

The rebuilt pier will be in the same location as the destroyed pier, adjacent to Lynn Hall Memorial Park and Crescent Beach Family Park.

The project is planned to be funded through the Florida Department of Emergency Management Legislative Appropriation Program, Tourist Development Tax funds, and RESTORE Act grants stemming from the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010.