Navarre Beach Pier Update Project

Good fishing, good people. It just doesn't get any better than this.

The new Navarre Beach Pier opened on June 5, 2010 after five years of patience and hard work by Santa Rosa County citizens, staff and contractors. After hurricanes Ivan and Dennis destroyed the existing pier in 2004 and 2005, Santa Rosa contracted with PBS&J to begin working on this monumental project. County staff and PBS&J worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to demonstrate that the initial allocation of approximately $50,000 would not be sufficient to repair the pier. Extensive documentation to support the building of a new pier that was not only up-to-date with building codes and design standards, but storm-resistant was provided to FEMA and approved by the agency in late 2008 as an "improved project."

Public Input

Public input was a vital component of the project. Feedback from locals provided insight into what our residents wanted to see in the new pier, from fishermen to those who simply would enjoy a stroll on the new pier. Many ideas were incorporated into the final design, including the octagon-shaped end and obstruction-free railing to prevent interference with fishing.

Construction of New Pier

The permitting, final design work and construction bidding was completed in early 2009. On March 12, 2009 Santa Rosa County Commissioners voted to accept Ed Waters and Sons Contracting Company's bid for the construction of the new Navarre Beach Pier. PBS&J served as the construction manager. Construction began with the demolition of the old pier, from the dune landward, on April 20, 2009. The first piling was put in the ground on May 7, 2009 with the new pier built next to the previous pier.

Pier Extension

Commissioners originally approved the design of a 1,500 feet pier. In late October 2009, Ed Waters and Sons Contracting Company approached county leaders with an idea - extend the pier by 45 feet, making it the longest pier in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and they would donate the labor, equipment, supervision and overhead. At the November 12 commission meeting, all five commissioners approved the extension plan. The project was completed on budget in only 12 months.