Deerfield Beach’s International Fishing Pier — a destination for many tourists, beachgoers and anglers — will soon be closing to the public for more than a year.
As the pier faces repairs and renovations, the city estimates it could be closed anywhere from an estimated 14 to 18 months, putting it on track to reopen sometime next summer at the earliest.
The work begins Monday. The renovations will include new railings, lighting, two new pavilions for shade and gathering space, improved fish-cutting stations, informative signage, modern decking, and public art.
“We’re excited for how beautiful that pier is going to look,” said city spokeswoman Rebecca Medina Stewart.
The improvements come almost two years after powerful waves from Tropical Storm Nicole, which made landfall in Vero Beach, damaged sections of the pier in 2022 and it’s been partially closed since then. The city calls the fishing pier a “cornerstone of our community.”
The pier’s adjacent parking lot, which will operate as a staging area, also will close.
“While initial assessments identified the need for repairs, a more thorough inspection revealed structural damage that was more extensive than originally reported,” the city said in a statement.
The total cost of the project will be $4,677,875.
The city is hoping its underwater “Fish Cam,” which streams continuously day and night on the city’s YouTube page, is uninterrupted. Although the camera is attached to the very bottom end of one of the pier’s pilings, the city has been assured by contractors that the camera will keep recording the wonders underwater.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash