ANNA MARIA, Fla. (WWSB) – The City of Anna Maria is celebrating a state grant of $1.25 million to rebuild City Pier that was severely damaged in last year’s hurricanes.
The funds were included in the state’s $117.4 billion budget for the new fiscal year signed June 30 by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Anna Maria City Commissioner Christopher Arendt said the grant is a good start to giving the locals back their pier.
“The budget for the pier is probably going to be in the $7-9 million range, so this … is a great first step,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to the county, who’s gonna be helping out as well. We’re still looking for funds from FEMA as well.”
A report filed in December 2024 documented the damage to the pier.
A large section of the pier collapsed during the storms. Photos of what remains show the walkway sitting precariously on leaning pilings.
The report, compiled by Kisinger Campo & Associates, says the storms doomed the structure.
“Based on our observations, it is assumed that the pier piles failed due to a combination of wind, waves, and storm surge during the hurricane,” the report said.
“The intense wave action and storm surge may have scoured the seabed, reduced the embedment depth of the piles, and compromised their stability.”
“The piles may have experienced excessive bending and shear stresses from wind-driven waves, potentially leading to structural buckling or displacement,” the report noted. “The combination of these factors likely caused the piles to lose their load-bearing capacity, resulting in the progressive collapse of the remaining portions of the pier.
Local residents Emily Carrow and Hailey Wagner said they’re looking forward to share a new pier with family and visitors.
“That would be really good because my cousins love to fish on the pier that was a really good spot to see fish and stingrays and all of the cool wildlife,” Wagner said.
“I also think it’ll be really cool for tourists and travel and people who love to come here just coming here and having a place to hang out,” Carrow added.
Copyright 2025 WWSB. All rights reserved.
