Sanibel Island Pier Destruction Kicks Off $400,000 Community Fundraising Drive
After Hurricane Ian wiped out the Sanibel Fishing Pier at Lighthouse Beach Park, Florida residents launched a major effort to raise $400,000 for its rebuilding.
“The Sanibel community doesn’t have a lot of places to congregate,” lifelong resident Sam Kupsaw told Fox4 News. “I think it was just a good place to have everybody at before, and it just doesn’t exist anymore.”
With no insurance coverage, repairing the pier will cost between $650,000 and $1.3 million. The city remains stuck, unable to begin repairs until FEMA funding comes through — which is still up in the air with no set timeline.
In a strong show of support, the Sanibel City Council backed local fundraising plans with a unanimous vote on Jan. 14, 2025. Their decision strengthens community efforts to bring back this beloved public space.
“It’s part of the ambiance of the island and the whole area,” said Thomas Riccobono, a Fort Myers resident, to Fox4 News. “Let’s put everything back the way it was before the hurricane.”
The timeline for rebuilding stays unclear as donations slowly come in.
