Water-Related News

Lee Commissioners award contract for Matlacha Fishing Pier replacement

Park remains closed at this time due to COVID-19 but boat ramp remains open

FORT MYERS – The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday awarded a contract to replace the Matlacha Fishing Pier, to Kelly Brothers, Inc. for the removal and replacement of the fishing pier at Matlacha Community Park.

The contract, in the amount of $833,805, is part of a total $1 million estimated cost being funded through Tourist Development Taxes collected on short-term lodging rentals.

The new pier will replace the existing pier, which is more than 50 years old and is closed because it has deteriorated from the elements. The project will include new benches, garbage cans, lighting, fish cleaning stations and ADA accessibility features.

The improvements are expected to begin next month and take about six months to complete.

The Matlacha Fishing Pier is part of a nine-acre park at the Matlacha Community Park located along Matlacha Pass. This body of water is famous for catching snook, redfish as well as other local varieties of fish. Matlacha Park is currently closed as part of the county’s efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 but the boat ramp remains open.