FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. — Flagler County is preparing for something big, as construction on the Flagler Beach Pier replacement project is set to ramp up over the next few weeks.

The pier is a staple in the Flagler Beach community, and it has been closed for three years after sustaining damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022.

“How else could you not love this? We’re getting a brand-new pier," Stephanie Bingham, a waitress at the nearby Funky Pelican restaurant, said. "It’s going to be amazing when it’s all done. We’re going to have some construction, some loudness, but other than that, we’re really excited for it.”

City leaders set a goal to open it in December 2026.

Someone else who’s keeping an eye on this project is Flagler Beach Mayor Patti King.

“This is our image, this is our entire county,” she said.

King is also the executive director of the Flagler Beach Historical Museum.

She says preserving the history of the pier is important, and says old pieces of the pier will be saved.

“Everything is taken very seriously, and we’re ready to go,” King said. “I’m excited for our future. I’m very proud to represent Flagler Beach.”

Renderings show the project will be made out of concrete pilings instead of the wood pilings that are there now.

City manager Dale Martin says the new pier will also be 10 feet higher than the old one.

“The anticipated design lifespan is another 50 years or so,” Martin said. “The current pier is 18 feet above the water, and by adding that extra 10 feet, the pier should be protected from the wave action from hurricanes, which is what caused the damage before.”

The total cost of this project is $14 million, which is being covered by FEMA and the state.