The Tony Saprito Fishing Pier will reopen to the public Friday, April 30, with a brief ceremony at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend the event, which will feature City of Sarasota leadership and the pier's project team highlighting the improvements and new amenities, followed by a ribbon cutting.

The pier, located adjacent to the John Ringling Causeway Bridge, underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation with a new concrete top deck installed and concrete pilings, caps and light poles retrofitted. Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant railings also were installed plus six benches and three shade structures to provide relief from the sun.  New pressure-treated composite planks are now incorporated into the deck at the foot of the pier where the surf from Sarasota Bay is strongest. To protect the structural integrity of the pier, the planks are designed to pop out during strong wave action and remain attached to the pier. The makeover also pays tribute to Sarasota Bay through creative sea life art designs placed along the railings, plus a visual reminder to “Protect The Bay” imprinted at the end of the pier.

Construction started in November 2020; the project was funded through the voter approved penny surtax and is expected to further extend the pier’s longevity.