FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Construction has officially begun on the iconic Flagler Beach pier, marking the start of a major rebuilding effort after the structure took significant damage from hurricanes over the past decade.
Crews have rolled into town and are already occupying a large portion of the public parking near the pier. Business owners tell News 6 this has had an immediate economic impact.
Several restaurants along A1A report losing up to 50% of their business in just the first three days of construction.
“I wasn’t expecting that but we’ll adjust,” said Scott Fox, owner of Tortugas Florida Kitchen and Bar.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Iconic Flagler Beach Pier demolition begins after Hurricane Ian damage]
Fox acknowledged the challenges ahead for businesses and residents but expressed confidence in the community’s resilience.
“There’s going to be some tough times ahead for a lot of the businesses and the residents but I think over the last 10 years we’ve proven that we’re used to that,” he said.
The construction phase has also already faced setbacks. On Wednesday, an electrical fire caused by construction crews hitting an underground wire forced two businesses located directly on the pier to evacuate and close for the day.
“They were doing their spot checks so they were in line with everything. It’s just one of those things where we’ve got some older underground utilities. Our city’s been here since 1925,” Fire Chief Stephen Cox said.
The city recently released the first three-week construction schedule. Crews are currently preparing the foundation and building a temporary trestle alongside the existing pier. Afterward, they will begin dismantling parts of the old pier and constructing a taller, stronger, and more hurricane-resistant structure.
The entire project is expected to take about a year and a half. While business owners anticipate a temporary disruption, they look forward to the benefits the new pier will bring.
“I think it’s going to be something the next generation will be able to appreciate and it brings back the historical allure to Flagler Beach,” Fox said.
In response to concerns from local businesses, the city is exploring temporary parking solutions to ease the impact during construction.
“I really hope they do look into finding some solutions for parking. It’s what the small businesses and residents really need over here,” Fox said.
Until construction is complete, the city is encouraging visitors to park on side streets west of A1A to help alleviate parking shortages near the pier.
[WATCH: Drone video shows damage to Flagler Beach pier caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022]