UPDATE:
Big news for the Naples Pier! On Friday, the City of Naples said it finally locked in the FEMA grant needed to start the long-awaited rebuild.
Fox 4’s Austin Schargorodski spoke with people at the beach who say this is the update they’ve been waiting for.
Watch to hear what's in store for the rebuild and what people think about the update:
Since Hurricane Ian, the Naples Pier has sat damaged and closed, just out of reach behind fencing. For many people, it’s been a stark reminder of the destruction Ian left behind.
Now, the wait on a rebuild is one step closer to ending. The city says FEMA has granted more than $11.4 million toward a project expected to cost about $12.6 million total, clearing the way for demolition and a full rebuild.
People Schargorodski spoke to at the beach say this announcement makes the pier’s return feel real.
“We’re excited about it,” one couple said. “We come here annually and it’s a good free destination for people that live here and tourists.”
Another beachgoer said the pier’s return would also be meaningful for anglers.
“Always excited to have somewhere to fish, man,” he said. “You know there’s a lot of places to fish here, but this was one of the highest rated ones.”
The city says the new pier will keep its iconic look but be built to better handle future storms. They say it will be built with thicker support pillars, a higher deck, and a structure designed to better handle strong waves and storms.
For people here, this is about more than a pier… it’s about getting a piece of Naples back. “Good news for Naples,” one person said.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
The City of Naples has secured more than $11.4 million in federal funding to rebuild the historic Naples Pier, which was heavily damaged during Hurricane Ian.
Rep. Byron Donalds announced the grant in a tweet, saying he was "proud" to share that FEMA has approved $11,401,144.20 for the restoration project. Donalds called the pier's reconstruction a "longtime priority" for the community following the devastating storm.
BREAKING: I'm proud to announce that the City of Naples has received an $11,401,144.20 @fema grant to rebuild Naples Pier.
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) December 12, 2025
Hurricane Ian ravaged our community & this restoration project has been a longtime priority.
Congratulations to all involved. This is a major win for SWFL! pic.twitter.com/ktLYt74QrJ
"Hurricane Ian ravaged our community & this restoration project has been a longtime priority," he wrote, congratulating local leaders and agencies involved in securing the funding.
"This is a major win for SWFL!" Donalds said.
The Naples Pier, a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, has remained a symbol of the area's resilience. The new FEMA grant will help fund structural repairs and restoration efforts aimed at bringing the landmark back to full public use.
ORIGINAL STORY 11-20-25
Hurricane Ian left Naples' iconic pier severely damaged, with only a fence blocking access to what remains of the beloved tourist attraction. The city is now close to demolishing the structure and building a new one.
The pier, normally crawling with tourists, has been missing its boardwalk and much of its structure since the hurricane hit.
For residents like Nancy Slade, who has witnessed the pier's transformation over the years, the damage represents more than just missing infrastructure.
"It was awful that this happened," Slade said. "Well it's history, it's the very thing the people who founded Naples built."
The pier serves as Naples' primary tourist attraction, and homeowners there said rebuilding it will be welcomed for the community's economy and identity.
Susan Jensen, echoed the sentiments of many neighbors who wondered about the timeline for completion.
"My friends visiting and I told him, I don't know why it's not finished yet, except I think it's all tied up in government funds," Jensen said.
The city has confirmed they are moving forward with demolition plans.
In a statement, a city spokesperson told Fox 4:
“We have the permits and are looking forward to a formal sign off obligating the funds from FEMA which is required before demolition can begin.”
FEMA has not yet responded to requests for clarity on when exactly that approval would happen.
While the city and FEMA work through the paperwork, residents remain eagerly waiting for their pier's return.
