Mar 31, 2026 - News

Hurricane-damaged Dunedin pier, marina gets funding boost

Kathryn Varn

Calm waterfront scene with a pelican perched on a weathered piling. A yellow containment boom surrounds a damaged floating dock; a modern building and palm trees line the pier under a cloudy sky. — The damaged Dunedin Pier. Photo: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Dunedin's ongoing effort to repair its hurricane-damaged fishing pier and marina recently got a big funding boost.

Why it matters: More than $800,000 in federal money will go toward rebuilding a permanent dock for the Clearwater Ferry that connects downtown Dunedin to Clearwater Beach.

State of play: The ferry service reopened in October using a temporary dock, more than a year after Hurricane Helene ripped the old dock apart.

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna secured $828,000 for the project last month.

Zoom out: It's part of a $10 million project to rebuild the fishing pier and marina, which were damaged by both Helene and Milton in 2024.

The new pier is budgeted for $2.3 million, per the city, with another $5 million slated for the docks and $2.5 million for the bulkhead. Funding will come from local, state and federal sources.
Local lawmakers requested $3 million in state money for the project. The Legislature will convene after Easter to finalize the budget.

What's next: Construction is underway. City officials said in January they hope to reopen the pier by this year's annual Holiday Boat Parade.

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Hurricane-damaged Dunedin pier, marina gets funding boost

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