The Anna Maria pier is ready for a comeback. But the food and the bait will have to wait
Nearly three years after Hurricane Irma destroyed the historic Anna Maria City Pier, the rebuilt, popular landmark is set to partially reopen on June 19.
“The pier has been completed and final inspections are taking place this week. Due to COVID-19 circumstances and guidelines, the city has decided against having a formal grand re-opening event at this time. Rather, we will have a low-key soft opening starting Friday, June 19, for all visitors, sightseers and anglers,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said.
Workers were installing benches and life rings this week on the $6.8 million pier project, located at 100 N. Bay Blvd., and reaching out more than 800 feet into Tampa Bay. Money from the state of Florida, Manatee County, tourist development taxes, City of Anna Maria, FEMA and Go-Fund-Me were used for the project.
The views of Gulf of Mexico waters and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge help make the pier a popular draw for visitors and residents alike.
Initially, the pier and restrooms will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, and there will be no food, beverage or bait and tackle service available.
An unfinished bit of business is completion of the interiors of the restaurant and bait shop at the far end of the pier.
“We are in the midst of negotiations with a new potential tenant — The Ugly Grouper Restaurant from Holmes Beach — for the pier restaurant concession operation,” Murphy said.
Alcoholic beverages won’t be allowed at the pier, but visitors and anglers may bring sandwiches and a cooler. There will be seating available for fishing and sightseeing. Visitors will need to practice social distancing, face masks optional.
Manatee County deputies will be available for assistance during operating hours.
A grand re-opening will be held at some point in the near future.
“At that event, the city will have the opportunity to formally recognize and thank all of those who have made the rebuilding of our historic city pier a reality,” Murphy said.
Manatee County authorized the expenditure of up to $2 million in tourist tax revenue to rebuild the pier.
The pier was built in 1911-1912 to provide docks for ships from Tampa and St. Petersburg. Before it was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, the pier had withstood storms in 1918, 1935, 1974, 1988 and 2012.
Rebuilding began after demolition in July 2018 but suffered a setback a year later when a barge crashed into the new construction, damaging pilings, beams, stringers, electric wiring and plumbing.
“Most people are wondering what it is going to be like,” said David Huggins, manager of Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle, 501 Pine Ave. of the reopening. The pier is still a construction zone with no-trespassing signs posted.
Cindy Tutterow, owner of Hometown Desserts at 507B Pine Ave., said she was eager to see the pier reopen.
“I am sure it will be beautiful. It is such a focal point of the community. People look forward to being able to just take a stroll onto the pier when they come to visit,” she said.
Because of COVID-19, many of the businesses on Pine Avenue and elsewhere have not fully reopened.
Another sign of slow, careful movement to reopening was a handbill posted along island streets this week announcing the return of the Anna Maria Island trolley to its normal 20-minute service schedule starting June 6.
“We are happy to see people coming back,” Tutterow said.
This story was originally published June 7, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
