Naples City Council voted on a 30% conceptual design for the Naples Pier on Wednesday. The historic pier, which suffered major damage from Hurricane Ian in September, is facing an estimated $20 million reconstruction upon approval by Council.  

In December, Council voted to pursue a complete redesign of the pier rather than patch up the damages, hoping the new pier will last for future decades. 

Two Naples-based companies, Turrell, Hall & Associates marine and environment consulting service and MHK Architecture, were hired to create the redesign. 

“We’re at a very, very quick timeline on this,” Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director Chad Merritt said. “And when you look at projects of this scope, we have come a long way in a very short period of time. And for us to be sitting here talking about 30% designs in June, to me at least from my sight, I didn’t anticipate that [would] happen.” 

Tim Hall with Turrell, Hall & Associates provided two design alternatives to Council. Both alternatives have the pier stretching 1,000 feet long and more than 13 feet in height, a 3-foot height increase from the previous pier.  

The major difference between the two designs is the placement of the concession stand. Alternative one leaves the concession in the center of the pier as it was previously with the second alternative placing a bigger stand at the beginning of the pier near the restrooms. 

Hall explained if the second alternative is chosen, due to permitting rules, the concession stand must remain on the portion of the pier over land and can’t be moved out over the water. Creating a bigger concession on the landward side of the pier would add $500,000 to building costs because of additional foundation pilings, bring the total to around $20.25 million. 

“Normally over-water food preparation and all is a no-go area with the [Department of Environmental Protection],” Hall said, “but because of the historic use that has been there so long, we believe that we can keep it as long as it’s the same size in the same place.” 

Other features included in both options include a bi-level viewing structure with a drop-down at the end of the pier for fisherman, allowing for separation of fishing and sunset viewing. The restrooms will remain on the landward side. Overall, the pier will be sturdier with a four-piling design compared to the previous pier which had a three-piling design. 

“Are we going to stop [the pier] from an Ian, from being damaged? Probably not. Can we minimize the damage that’s done so it’s not catastrophic? That’s what we’re in hopes for,” Merritt said. 

Council member Ray Christman favored the first alternative with the concession stand in the middle as it alludes to how the pier has operated historically. 

“The concession stand gives you more of [a break in the middle], and having a pier where people can stroll out there a good distance, encounter a concession stand, buy their food and drink, enjoy it, continue on, I find appealing,” Christman said. “And I think from an aesthetic standpoint, from a design standpoint, it’s appealing to me, in addition to the linkage back to the historic design of the pier.” 

There are some aspects of the design council member Terry Hutchison hopes can be improved, such as finding a way to discourage fishermen from overhand casting and rethinking the dipped portion of the pier, as it has a higher chance of being destroyed by another storm. 

Council member Ted Blankenship preferred alternative two for maintenance and better upkeep of the concession stand. 

“I would think just like the bathrooms survived better during Ian, the concession area would as well, just being away from the wind and water a bit further,” Blankenship said. “And operationally it’s easier for the operator. They don’t have to carry things as far and it’s easier to maintain, you don’t have to take trash back as far, as it just seems like it’d be simpler and easier.” 

The council voted 5-2 in favor of pursuing alternative one, with Blankenship and Beth Petrunoff voting against. The 60% design concept will be brought to Council after their summer break, which ends in mid-August.