Harbor staff urges repairs to neighborhood boat ramps, cites $60,000 quote for Coconut Ramp
June 30, 2026 | Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida
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Harbor Master Curtis Lewig told the Advisory Committee that two neighborhood boat ramps—most notably the Coconut Ramp—remain damaged following Hurricane Ian and are currently usable only by small craft such as kayaks and jet skis. "We tried to get it in FEMA, but it was a homemade ramp…and they couldn't value that it was completely damaged," Curtis said, noting a resurfacing quote of "about 60 grand" for the Coconut Ramp.
Curtis described practical constraints at the Coconut and Myiar ramps: narrow access streets and no adjacent parking make them most suitable for nontrailer vessels. He said parts of those ramps have slab damage that will require poured concrete and possible redesign to widen approaches. "We'd have to kind of go to the left and widen it out," he said, describing how a slab replacement could change ramp geometry.
Committee members emphasized that the ramps are town responsibilities and that funding is the main obstacle. A member recommended preparing a situation analysis that lays out current conditions, likely uses, positive impacts of repairs, and continuing risks if the ramps remain unrepaired.
The staff report also updated other harbor operations. Curtis said the mooring field is in seasonal decline—"between 28 and 30 boats in the field" during slow season—with about 15–18 boats in the back anchorage, the highest back-anchorage count he has seen while in the role. He reported that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has stepped up tagging and removal of derelict vessels; only two derelict boats remain tagged in the back bay after a flurry of removals.
On budget matters, Curtis said the department is drafting next year’s requests and that operational needs include replacing an aging tow vehicle (he described an F-250 as the likely requirement). He said staff will circulate budget detail and noted the town’s schedule: the preliminary budget is due July 15, with two public budget hearings planned in September. Committee members asked staff to assemble cost estimates and potential funding pathways—including grants, joint community contributions, or council referral—to present at a future meeting.
The committee did not take a formal vote on ramp funding at this meeting but agreed to keep the ramps and dredging on the agenda for follow-up and to coordinate with the town on possible grant and budget options.
Curtis described practical constraints at the Coconut and Myiar ramps: narrow access streets and no adjacent parking make them most suitable for nontrailer vessels. He said parts of those ramps have slab damage that will require poured concrete and possible redesign to widen approaches. "We'd have to kind of go to the left and widen it out," he said, describing how a slab replacement could change ramp geometry.
Committee members emphasized that the ramps are town responsibilities and that funding is the main obstacle. A member recommended preparing a situation analysis that lays out current conditions, likely uses, positive impacts of repairs, and continuing risks if the ramps remain unrepaired.
The staff report also updated other harbor operations. Curtis said the mooring field is in seasonal decline—"between 28 and 30 boats in the field" during slow season—with about 15–18 boats in the back anchorage, the highest back-anchorage count he has seen while in the role. He reported that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has stepped up tagging and removal of derelict vessels; only two derelict boats remain tagged in the back bay after a flurry of removals.
On budget matters, Curtis said the department is drafting next year’s requests and that operational needs include replacing an aging tow vehicle (he described an F-250 as the likely requirement). He said staff will circulate budget detail and noted the town’s schedule: the preliminary budget is due July 15, with two public budget hearings planned in September. Committee members asked staff to assemble cost estimates and potential funding pathways—including grants, joint community contributions, or council referral—to present at a future meeting.
The committee did not take a formal vote on ramp funding at this meeting but agreed to keep the ramps and dredging on the agenda for follow-up and to coordinate with the town on possible grant and budget options.
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