The long-awaited reconstruction of the Bayport Pier, located at 4140 Cortez Boulevard near Hernando Beach, will begin on October 28, 2019 and is expected to be completed by spring 2020, weather conditions permitting. In 2016, the pier suffered significant damage due to a five-foot storm surge as a result of Hurricane Hermine.

Bayport Pier to reopen in spring 2020

The process to receive pertinent permits, the Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation review process and an archaeological assessment delayed this project. However, Midcoast Construction Enterprises, Inc., the company contracted to perform the reconstruction, has now been issued a notice to proceed. The archaeological assessment was a requirement due to a previously recorded shipwreck that is located within the vicinity of the pier with two additional overlapping archaeological sites also recorded in the project area. As a result of this assessment, Cardno, an environmental firm overseeing the entire project, must properly mark the shipwreck area and set buoys for the entire time of construction in order to protect the integrity of these sites.

The total cost of the Bayport Pier reconstruction will be $918,320.58. Approximately 75 percent of the cost will be eligible for reimbursement under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program:

• $28,880 = Damage Assessment by URS Construction (completed)
• $59,831.20 = Engineering by Cardno (completed)
• $44,240 = Archaeological Assessment by Cardno (completed)
• $657,060.50 = Construction of Pier by Midcoast Construction Enterprises (ongoing)
• $128,308.88 = Cultural Monitoring and construction oversight by Cardno (ongoing)

We recognize that the Bayport Pier is an important amenity to the Hernando County community and has been working diligently to restore it back to its pre-disaster condition. We appreciate the community’s patience during this process and look forward to its reopening in spring 2020.