JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – The Jacksonville Beach Pier is set to reopen Wednesday at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The structure has been under construction since 2019 after Hurricanes Irma and Matthew damaged it.
Now, the pier is 12 feet taller to protect it from storm surge and help it withstand future storms.
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According to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, in a phased reopening, pedestrians will be allowed on the pier daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. City officials and police will be monitoring the pier’s usage daily and gathering community input prior to what the Police Department says will be a “full reopening.”
In two weeks, fishing will return to the pier with a three rod limit and the pier will otherwise comply with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s rules. “A more detailed set of parameters will be released prior to the commencement of fishing,” police said.
At first, the bathrooms and bait shop will not be open. The Police Department said a request for proposals will be released by the city in the coming months, and additional rules and parameters will follow.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman will host the ribbon cutting ceremony.
PHOTOS: Jacksonville Beach Pier to reopen after years of construction