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Anna Marie, FL - The Anna Maria City Pier, a long-standing destination for fishing, dining, and family activities, has been left largely destroyed following consecutive hurricanes.
Only the “T” at the end of the pier’s walkway remains intact, while the rest of the structure was severely damaged.
Residents and longtime visitors have expressed the personal impact of the pier’s destruction.
Lisa Goodson first visited the pier 40 years ago with her grandparents, enjoying fishing and meals by the water.
“It’s sad not to see it now because we’ve had so many fun memories here,” she said.
Her father, Charles Koziura, has been visiting the pier for six decades.
“I’ve been coming here 60 years. I’m glad to hear the pier walkway will be rebuilt and they will remain the original structure. For us, it’s the memory — for others, it’ll be a new memory,” he said.
Mayor Mark Short explained that the original walkway was not constructed to the same specifications as the T-end, which withstood the storms.
The city plans to rebuild the walkway to match the sturdier T-end design, providing increased resilience against future hurricanes.
Damaged sections of the pier have already been removed, and city officials are finalizing a contractor for reconstruction.
While there is no confirmed completion date, officials hope the project will be finished by late fall next year.
Funding will include state and federal sources, though the total cost has not yet been announced.
The rebuilt pier will preserve its classic design while incorporating reinforcements to withstand future storms.
Once completed, the pier will provide a renewed space for residents and visitors to fish, dine, and enjoy waterfront activities.