Federal funding is now in hand to help restore the Dunedin city pier, nearly two years after the 2024 hurricane season.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna secured $800,000 for the reconstruction project. The funds are specifically designated to rebuild the portion of the pier used by the Clearwater Ferry, creating a permanent dock for the service.

The ferry has connected Dunedin with Clearwater Beach and downtown Clearwater since 2018. When Hurricane Helene destroyed the pier in September 2024, Dunedin ferry service was suspended for more than a year. The stoppage affected both local residents and downtown Dunedin businesses that relied on the ferry’s visitor traffic. A temporary dock restored service in October 2025, but it will now be replaced by a permanent structure.

Designs and permitting for the new pier began last year, with construction expected to start this summer.

The federal funds are part of a total repair cost of roughly $2.3 million, which also draws from FEMA, Florida’s disaster fund, and the city’s general fund. The pier project is one piece of a broader restoration of the Dunedin Marina area, which also includes work on docks, boat ramps, and a seawall.

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