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Lee County Pushes Washington to Speed Up Fort Myers Pier Rebuild
County leaders fly to D.C. to lobby Army Corps and Congress for quicker federal permit approval to restart $11.7M pier construction.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:18pm
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Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian destroyed the Fort Myers Beach fishing pier, Lee County is ready to rebuild with an $11.7 million construction contract, but the project remains stalled as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finishes its required permit review. County officials have traveled to Washington to personally lobby the White House, Army Corps leadership, and Florida's congressional delegation to speed up the federal approval process so construction can finally begin.
Why it matters
The missing pier has become a daily reminder for locals of the slow pace of recovery from Hurricane Ian, and business owners argue that a rebuilt pier would draw more visitors and boost the broader economic recovery of the Times Square commercial district.
The details
Lee County has funding and plans ready to go for an expanded 1,000-foot, 12-foot-wide pier supported by 108 concrete pilings. But the project is stuck in limbo as the Army Corps conducts required reviews of endangered species, essential fish habitat, and historic preservation issues before issuing the necessary federal permit. County leaders say they have asked federal partners to prioritize the pier permit while still honoring all environmental and historic protections.
- Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian in 2022, the Fort Myers Beach fishing pier remains in ruins.
- In 2024, Lee County commissioners voted to rebuild the pier to 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide.
- County officials expect construction to take roughly 12 months once the federal permit is approved.
- If the permit review moves quickly, county leaders hope for a best-case reopening of the pier in early 2027.
The players
Lee County
The county government overseeing the Fort Myers Beach area, which has funding and plans ready to rebuild the destroyed fishing pier.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving the necessary permit for the pier reconstruction project, which is currently delaying the start of construction.
Brian Hamman
A Lee County commissioner who traveled to Washington to personally lobby the White House, Army Corps leadership, and Florida's congressional delegation to speed up the federal permit approval process.
What’s next
County officials say they have asked federal partners to prioritize the pier permit review, and they are hopeful the process can move quickly so construction can begin. However, the timeline still depends heavily on the Army Corps' decision and any environmental conditions that surface during the review.
The takeaway
This prolonged delay in rebuilding the Fort Myers Beach pier highlights the challenges of navigating federal bureaucracy and environmental regulations, even when local governments have the funding and plans ready to go. The missing pier has become a symbol of the broader recovery struggles in this hurricane-impacted community.
