ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. (SNN) — For years, the Anna Maria City Pier has been a cherished spot where families come to fish, dine, and enjoy the waterfront, creating countless memories. However, recent hurricanes have left the once lively pier deserted.
For longtime visitors like Lisa Goodson, the loss is personal.
“I first visited this pier 40 years ago with my grandparents. We would fish and have meals here. It’s disheartening not to see it now because of all the joyful times we’ve had,” she reminisced.
Her father, Charles Koziura, has been a visitor for even longer — six decades of fishing and family traditions. While it’s difficult to see the pier in ruins, he appreciates the city’s dedication to restoring it.
“After visiting for 60 years, it’s comforting to know that they plan to rebuild the pier walkway, preserving the original structure. It holds memories for us, and it will create new ones for others.”
The hurricanes destroyed the pier’s walkway, sparing only the “T” section at the end. Mayor Mark Short noted that the previous walkway lacked the durability of the resilient T-end. The planned redesign aims to address this issue.
“The plan is the new walkway will be built to the same specs as the ‘T’ to avoid this situation in the future,” Short said.
The city has already removed the damaged parts and is working on securing a contractor. The new pier will retain its traditional look but will be strengthened to endure future storms.
As of now, there is no exact timeline for completion, but city officials say they are hoping for late fall of next year. The total budget for the project has not yet been released. City leaders say the cost will depend on the contractor ultimately selected, but at least part of the funding is expected to come from state and federal sources.
Until then, the memories are on hold, but for residents and visitors alike, the promise of a stronger pier means a new chapter is on the horizon for Anna Maria Island.
