Naples Pier Gets Federal Lifeline: $11.4M in FEMA Funds Secured to Rebuild Historic Landmark

A major milestone has been reached in the long-awaited effort to rebuild the iconic Naples Pier. Federal authorities have officially obligated more than $11.4 million in FEMA funds to support reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Ian ravaged the structure in 2022, a crucial step toward restoring one of Naples’ most cherished public spaces.

This federal action clears a significant hurdle in the decades-long recovery process and brings the city closer to finally replacing the damaged pier that draws visitors from near and far.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated its grants portal to reflect the official obligation of funds to the State of Florida, with the City of Naples named as the direct recipient. The total obligated grant amount — $11,401,144.20 — will go toward the explosive costs associated with demolition, engineering, construction, and resilient rebuilding of the pier.

Congressman Byron Donalds publicly shared the good news, calling the announcement a huge win for Southwest Florida, as the region continues its long road toward post-Ian recovery.

With the federal funding obligation now official, Naples is on track to issue a Notice to Proceed to the pier construction contractor as early as January 5, 2026 , a key date that local officials have been targeting for months.

The Naples Pier, first constructed in 1888 and rebuilt multiple times over its history, took a particularly hard hit from Hurricane Ian in 2022 when hundreds of feet of the structure were destroyed or washed into the Gulf.

Since those initial storm impacts, the pier has been a symbol of both community resilience and ongoing frustration. While portions of the damaged structure were partially reopened to the public, the full teardown and rebuild required federal disaster alleviation funds, something Naples city leaders have pursued aggressively.

Local and federal officials alike pointed to the complexity of the permitting and review process, involving FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and environmental agencies, as reasons the funding took longer than many hoped.

City leadership has credited a coordinated push involving elected officials, engineering teams, and federal partners for achieving the funding milestone. Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann expressed gratitude that the obligation of funds brings the project closer to rebuilding the landmark of our city.

Beyond the mayor’s office, backing from Florida’s congressional delegation helped bring attention to the project at a federal level, ensuring federal agencies remained engaged in the long and sometimes complex bureaucracy.

With the FEMA obligation completed and federal review behind it, city officials expect to begin issuing construction notices and moving forward with demolition and rebuilding early next year. Officials have said the aim is to create a modern, resilient pier structure that honors the pier’s historic legacy and meets updated safety and regulatory standards.

Local residents can expect more updates on public meetings, construction timelines, and how the project will impact beach access and tourism in coming months.

The pier isn’t just concrete and wood — it’s a social and cultural anchor for Naples. Spanning generations of family outings, fishing trips, tourists’ first Gulf sunsets, and everyday shore walks, its reconstruction represents not only economic value but emotional and community identity for the region.