For generations of islanders, anglers, and visiting families, the fishing pier at Lighthouse Beach Park has stood as one of Sanibel’s most treasured waterfront landmarks. Now, the City of Sanibel is taking definitive steps to restore and reimagine this East End centerpiece for future generations.
The City has scheduled an official public workshop for Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 5:30 PM in MacKenzie Hall at Sanibel City Hall (800 Dunlop Road). During this session, City staff and engineering consultants will unveil three candidate sites currently under evaluation for the Sanibel fishing pier replacement Lighthouse Beach Park project.
At the LeAneSuarezGroup, we view our coastal recreation infrastructure as essential to the island’s heritage and property appeal. Waterfront parks, public shoreline access, and active community amenities elevate the sanctuary lifestyle that draws residents and investors to Sanibel’s East End.
Two-Pronged Strategy: Temporary Repairs & Permanent Vision
To balance immediate recreation needs with long-term coastal planning, the City of Sanibel is executing a parallel, two-track strategy:
TWO-PRONGED PIER RECOVERY STRATEGY
[ TRACK 1: INTERIM USE ] ──► Permitting temporary repairs on the existing pier structure
to reopen public access as quickly as possible.
[ TRACK 2: PERMANENT NEW ]──► Evaluating three resilient locations for an all-new,
engineered replacement pier built for the future.
1. Expedited Temporary Reopening
The City is currently navigating the regulatory permitting process to execute targeted temporary repairs on the existing pier. The objective is to restore public fishing access as soon as repairs are safely completed and approved. By maintaining the existing pier for as long as reasonably possible, the community avoids extended gaps in shoreline access while the permanent structure progresses through planning, permitting, and construction.
2. Designing the Permanent Replacement
Concurrently, the permanent replacement initiative aims to build a modern, hurricane-hardened pier designed to withstand the hydrodynamics and tidal surges of San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Evaluating the 3 Potential Pier Locations
During the September 15 workshop, municipal engineers and coastal consultants will present three distinct location alternatives for the new pier within Lighthouse Beach Park.
Each site is being scored against several critical operational and environmental criteria:
| Evaluation Factor | Key Considerations |
| Public Accessibility | Proximity to park walkways, ADA accessibility, and pedestrian flow from parking areas. |
| Environmental Impact | Protecting sensitive seagrass beds, marine habitats, and shorebird nesting zones. |
| Permitting Feasibility | Compliance with state and federal standards (FDEP, US Army Corps of Engineers). |
| Constructability | Pile-driving logistics, equipment staging, and impact on shoreline stability. |
| Long-Term Resiliency | Wave energy dispersion, deck elevation, and storm-surge survival capability. |
| Park Operations | Integration with park ranger monitoring, trash service, and day-to-day maintenance. |
Public Workshop Details & Community Feedback
Public input will directly shape which design and location alternative advances to formal engineering. Attendees will have the opportunity to view detailed site renderings, pose questions to consultants, and submit written comments.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP QUICK FACTS
[ DATE & TIME ] ──► Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5:30 PM
[ LOCATION ] ──► MacKenzie Hall, Sanibel City Hall (800 Dunlop Road)
[ AGENDA ] ──► Review 3 site alternatives, project timelines & public Q&A
[ DEPARTMENT ] ──► City of Sanibel Public Works Department
[ CONTACT ] ──► Email: sanpw@mysanibel.com | Phone: (239) 472-6397
Whether you are an avid local angler who casts from the pier at dawn, an East End homeowner, or an island resident dedicated to preserving park amenities, your voice is an essential part of the design process.
