Lee County commissioners approved a series of contracts totaling more than $13 million to restore coastal parks, beach accesses, and recreational amenities damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022, while advancing plans for the reconstruction of the Fort Myers Beach Pier.
Commissioners approved projects involving Bonita Beach Park, Bowditch Point Park, beach boardwalks, ADA accessibility improvements and construction oversight for the planned pier rebuilding.
The largest project is a $6.95 million contract with O-A-K/Florida Inc. to repair and restore Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Beach Access No. 1 and Little Hickory Island Beach Park, also known as Beach Access No. 10. The work includes repairs to boardwalks, pavilions, showers, landscaping and parking areas. The project also calls for replacing the restroom building at Little Hickory Island Beach Park and repairing restrooms and a county office building at Bonita Beach Park.
Commissioners also approved a $1.1 million contract with Marine Contracting Group Inc. to reconstruct or repair eight boardwalks damaged by Hurricane Ian. The work includes Fort Myers Beach Access No. 41, Bunche Beach Boardwalk and Fishing Platform A, and Bonita Beach accesses Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9.
At Bowditch Point Park, commissioners awarded a $3.9 million contract to Vantage Construction Services LLC to restore the 17-acre park and improve accessibility, safety and functionality. The project includes repairs to buildings, boardwalks, parking areas, sidewalks, picnic facilities, beach access points and trails, as well as replacement of the park’s 22-slip boat dock.
The board also approved funding for an ADA access mat and guidance system at Fort Myers Beach Access No. 43 to meet updated permitting requirements.
In addition, commissioners awarded a $1.4 million contract to Hardesty and Hanover Construction Services LLC for construction engineering and inspection services for the Fort Myers Beach Pier project. The pier, approved for reconstruction in April, is planned to extend about 1,000 feet into the Gulf, making it more than 70% longer and 50% wider than the structure destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Construction remains contingent on federal permit approvals.
Funding for the projects will come from a combination of Florida Division of Emergency Management appropriations, Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, tourist development taxes and county funds.
