Naples Holds Pier Rebuild Groundbreaking Ceremony, First Major Step After Hurricane Ian

Naples Celebrates Pier Rebuild Groundbreaking in January 2026

Naples marked a major milestone this week as city leaders, residents and local stakeholders gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Naples Pier rebuild. The event — the first of its kind since Hurricane Ian devastated the historic structure in 2022 — drew a crowd to honor the pier’s storied past and look ahead to its future as a centerpiece of beach life and community identity.

The ceremony, held near the iconic pier site just off Naples Beach Boulevard, featured city officials, project partners, and members of the community who have watched the long road to restoration over the past three years.

While reconstruction work has yet to fully ramp up, the groundbreaking symbolizes a widely shared moment of renewal, resilience and optimism for the coastal city that has been planning the pier’s comeback since shortly after the hurricane.

Naples Pier: From Storm Damage to a Fresh Start

Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast in September 2022, leaving an indelible mark on Naples’ waterfront and key public assets. Among the structures that suffered significant storm damage was the Naples Pier, a fixture for generations of residents and visitors known for its sweeping Gulf views, daily fishing, and sunset gatherings.

Since then, the City of Naples has worked through planning, design and permitting phases to ensure the rebuilt pier would not only replicate the charm of the original but also incorporate improvements for long-term durability against future storms and rising sea levels.

The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated that collective effort, involving input from engineers, architects, neighborhood representatives and environmental planners.

A Community Moment

Photos shared by Naples Daily News capture the sense of occasion as officials officially turned the first ceremonial shovels of earth along the beach — a symbolic start to what will be months of construction efforts ahead.

Citizens of all ages attended, reflecting the broad interest in restoring an element of Naples that serves as both a popular attraction and a quiet community gathering spot. From longtime residents recalling childhood days at the pier to newcomers embracing its cultural role, the event underscored how deeply the pier is woven into local life.

What’s Next for the Naples Pier Rebuild

With the ceremonial groundbreaking now complete, the city is gearing up for the next phase of the project:

• Full construction mobilization in early 2026

• Structural reinforcements designed for high-impact storm resilience

• Modernized access points and amenities for pedestrians and anglers

• Public viewing areas to support tourism and local events

City planners have emphasized the importance of balancing heritage and modernization — preserving the look and feel of the traditional pier while equipping it with infrastructure fit for the future.

Why This Matters for Naples

The Naples Pier is more than a tourist destination — it’s an economic and social focal point for the Gulf Coast city. Its restoration brings multiple benefits:

• A boost to tourism and local businesses as visitation increases

• Renewed community pride tied to public spaces that define Naples

• Expanded recreational access for fishing, walking, photography and events

• Reaffirmation of long-term resilience following major storm impacts

Local business owners near the beach have expressed positive expectations that the rebuilt pier will help further attract visitors and support Naples’ year-round hospitality economy.

A Renewed Landmark on the Horizon

As 2026 unfolds, Naples residents will watch the pier’s transformation take shape — from ceremonial dirt turned in January to a fully realized public asset in the months to come.

For many, the ceremony was a reminder that Naples continues to rebuild strategically and with community values at the forefront — celebrating the past while building toward the future.