City of Naples asking community to submit survey on Naples pier future

Reporter: Michelle Alvarez
Published: Updated:
A portion of the Naples pier remains closed to the public almost six months after Hurricane Ian. (CREDIT: WINK News)

Ian took parts of the iconic Naples pier when it hit Southwest Florida in September.

But now the pier could be getting a makeover with input from the community.

Some prefer out with the old and in with the new. But others, not so much.

“I miss the old pier,” said Edie Iverson.

Lots of people share her sentiment.

But city leaders say they want everyone’s opinion. So they’ve created a survey for people to fill out.

Lena Choudhary wants the pier to stand out.

“What I like about the beach here, is that you don’t have a boardwalk and you don’t have a lot of junk, you know, being sold along the edge,” said Choudhary, who is visiting from D.C.

Edie said she misses seeing people fish.

“And the turtles,” she added.

Right now, only part of the pier is open to the public and no fishing is allowed.

Engineering consultants presented a reconstruction cost estimate in December to Naples City Council and recommended and entire rebuild, which could cost up to $8 million.

“We’ve taken the option to try to do improvements and try to enhance the pier, make it stronger, so we don’t have this event happen again,” said Chad Merritt, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Naples.

Merritt said the city is reviewing contactor applications and hopes to soon finalize plans for the pier.

“As long as things go well and we don’t have any changes that we have to make with the initial design, then we hope to have some kind of final design submitted to council for approval by the fall,” Merritt said.

Edie said she hopes that ends soon.

“I really want to see the new pier,” she added.

The city said more than 4,300 people have already taken in the survey.

If you would like to weigh in on the new pier, you can do so by heading to the survey at the City of Naples website.

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