Legacy Harbour Marina’s reopening restores 131 boat slips to the downtown waterfront, four years after Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage.
By The Sun Post News Newsroom
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Legacy Harbour Marina is welcoming boaters back to downtown Fort Myers following an approximately $15 million reconstruction, restoring a waterfront facility severely damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
The marina celebrated its reopening with an October 23 ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials, business representatives and members of the project team.
Operations resumed in stages. Boats began returning in September, while fuel dock service restarted in October.
Located at 2044 West First Street along the Caloosahatchee River, the marina reconnects visiting boaters with a downtown district where restaurants, shops and other businesses are within walking distance.
Its return marks another step in the city’s lengthy recovery from the hurricane.
Years of Work Before Boats Returned
Ian left the marina badly damaged in September 2022. Clearing debris and preparing the property preceded the rebuilding effort, which began in early 2025.
AIRN Management led the redevelopment in partnership with marine construction specialist Bellingham Marine.
The rebuilt facility offers 131 slips accommodating vessels from 40 to 140 feet.
Its infrastructure includes concrete floating docks, interior aluminum-frame dock systems and synthetic decking. The design incorporates 70-foot steel piles and a concrete wave attenuation system intended to reduce wave energy reaching the marina basin.
These features reflect an emphasis on stability, durability and improved storm resilience.
For coastal communities, rebuilding marine infrastructure involves decisions that can affect maintenance needs, operating reliability and the ability to recover from future disruptions.
Utilities and Boater Services Upgraded
The redevelopment also replaced essential systems serving vessels and their crews.
Improvements include potable water, shore power, in-slip wastewater pump-out, fire suppression equipment and fiberglass dock storage boxes.
Coastal Marina Management oversees daily operations.
Together, the restored slips and upgraded services allow Legacy Harbour to resume its role as a stopping point for boaters traveling Florida’s west coast and visiting the Fort Myers waterfront.
A Link to Downtown Businesses
The marina’s location gives its reopening significance beyond the boating community.
Visitors arriving by water can reach the River District’s restaurants, shops and services on foot, creating opportunities for spending at nearby businesses.
Mayor Kevin Anderson described the reopening as a meaningful step in Fort Myers’ recovery and an investment in the waterfront’s future. Business leaders have also emphasized the connection between marina visitors and downtown commerce.
No measured economic impact from the reopening has been announced. Its contribution will become clearer through slip occupancy, visitor activity and the business generated around the waterfront.
For residents, the project offers a visible example of how hurricane recovery can extend over several years. Restoring a damaged facility requires cleanup, investment, construction and the gradual return of operations.
Legacy Harbour’s reopening brings one part of that process to fruition: boats are back at the docks, and a downtown waterfront destination is serving visitors again.
