Community fundraising covers temporary Sanibel Pier repairs; council approves $143,120 contract

Sanibel’s City Council on Tuesday approved a $143,120.66 contract with Stokes Marine to perform temporary repairs on the Sanibel Pier after a community fundraising campaign raised sufficient private funds to cover the work.

Richard Birney, chairman of the citizens’ committee that organized the campaign, said the grassroots effort collected gifts from 165 unique donors, including 29 sponsor‑level donors that ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. Donations came from 23 U.S. states and two international contributors; the committee said the top five donors accounted for about two‑thirds of the total raised.

Birney and John McCabe described a wide volunteer effort—local businesses, the chamber and community organizations helped market the campaign and collect donations. Several council members publicly thanked the volunteers and donors for the rapid fundraising effort.

Mayor Miller and the city manager noted the private funds relieve the city from using local budget dollars for temporary repairs while the city pursues a longer‑term pier replacement plan and county/state funding assistance. Council voted to award the repair contract and approved two additional consent business items.

The fundraising committee said the website and donation tools remain available for any straggling gifts but that the active solicitation has paused now that cash commitments were in hand for the contract award.