The Naples Pier – The State of the City

Mayor John Sorey

The Naples Pier has had many transformations since it was built in 1889, some because of choice and others because of chance.

The hurricane of 1910 almost destroyed the pier. It was rebuilt 100 feet longer, with two wings forming a “V,” reopening in 1911. The hurricane of 1926 and Labor Day hurricane of 1935 damaged the Naples Pier; but, it was the hurricane of 1944 which caused the pier to be completely rebuilt to sturdier standards. It became a recreation pier with dancing, fishing, and sunset-viewing as paramount activities.

It was Hurricane Donna that most remember which rolled over Naples in 1960, causing the pier to collapse. Philanthropists Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norris paid some $130,000 to rebuild the pier rather than add the cost to the tax rolls. Ten months later, the pier was back.

In 1970 an agreement was crafted between the Norris’ and the Naples City Council to replace the pilings, this agreement stated that residents would never be charged a fee to go on to the pier. The Norris family felt this was for the good of the community.

NAPLES PIER RESTORATION

Naples Pier 1911

The Naples Pier restoration will begin in the summer of 2015. The 1,000 foot pier will be closed on July 8, 2015 for approximately eight to ten weeks in order to replace all deck and railing material. The project is expected to be completed by September 30, 2015.

The deck material used in the restoration will consist of IPE wood (pronounced ee-pay). The advantage of this type of wood makes it much cooler to the touch and because of the dense properties of the wood, the life-expectancy is anticipated to exceed 30 years.

Naples Pier 1958

A secondary project involving the Naples Pier includes expanding the capacity of the public restroom facilities located at the entry to the Naples Pier. The current restrooms are undersized to accommodate the million plus visits the pier receives each year.

Plans are nearing completion for remodeling and expanding the size of the restrooms while keeping the same Polynesian style architecture of the existing structures. The project will be fully ADA compliant and feature a family restroom with a baby changing station provided with a separate entrance.

The Naples Pier has, and always will be, one of the most iconic and recognizable places in Florida and we are excited to have close
to a million people visit the Naples Pier each and every year.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, or comments, please call me at 239.248.1550 or email me at mayor@naplesgov.com.

Naples Pier Rebuild 1958

Naples Pier Rebuild 1958