Caxambas Park Boat Ramp
On March 12, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners awarded an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to Kelly Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $2,735,926.67 for the Caxambas Park and Boat Ramp Rehabilitation Project. Due to a combination of aging infrastructure and the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian, the park requires repair and rehabilitation, including the replacement of the seawall, docks, boat ramp, floating docks and guide piles, fixed timber docks, boat lift structure, electrical system, site restoration, and paving.
Phase I of the renovation focused on re-opening the boat ramp. Phase II will include the replacement of the fueling service system destroyed by Hurricane Ian and is expected to be completed in late 2025.
Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The boat ramp operates from sunrise to sunset. The onsite Ship Store had a soft opening from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with limited sundry items, adding frozen bait and other goods over time. Ship Store hours will extend to 5 p.m. once fully operational.
Per City of Marco Island Ordinance, the only permitted accessory commercial operations at Caxambas Park are the fuel station and the Ship Store.
Collier Boulevard Park Boat Ramp
With the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp, and following the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend, the Collier Boulevard Park boat ramp closed at dusk on February 17, 2025, to commence rehabilitation of that facility’s boat ramp. This project has been in the planning stages for several years and was delayed due to Hurricane Ian’s damage to Caxambas Park, its repair, and the impact of its boat ramp closure on our local boating community.
The project will include replacing the existing seawall and boat ramp structures, installing new timber pilings, and adding a floating boat dock. These repairs and improvements will provide boaters and guests safer access to the water. The Board approved a $1,224,873.00 construction contract with Kelly Brothers, Inc. on October 22, 2024. Renovation is expected to be completed by late summer.
To minimize disruption to the public’s access at the County’s public boat ramps, this project’s timeline was coordinated to align with the reopening of the Caxambas Park and Boat Ramp Rehabilitation Project.
To mitigate further delays, long lead time items such as the floating dock and aluminum gangway were pre-purchased to reduce the risk associated with supply chain issues. The contractor is scheduled to complete the work on a timeline that will facilitate a reopening of the Collier Boulevard Park Boat Ramp in the last quarter of 2025.
Bayview Park Boat Ramp
On February 25, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Naples for the use of Bayview Park to remove debris as part of the Naples Pier Renovation. This will require the use of eight (8) boat trailer spaces and a portion of the docks at Bayview Park to offload debris removed from the Naples Pier, which was significantly damaged from Hurricane Ian. (See aerial view below).
The balance of the park, including the boat ramp, will remain open to the public. The debris identified will be collected from above and below the surface of the water. A barge will be docked at Bayview Park no more than two days per week for a duration lasting 4-6 months. The debris will be dried out, offloaded, sorted, and removed via dump trucks. The hours of operations will be limited to 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on weekdays only, no weekends or holidays unless agreed to by the City and County Manager.
There is a concern with Friday operations recognizing the closure of the 951 Boat Ramp. Both parties have agreed to monitor any impacts, and work collaboratively to address any issues that may arise. The City has additionally agreed to add law enforcement as necessary. When the barge is not docked at the park, the public will have use of the dock. However, the eight boat trailer spaces will remain reserved for the contractor, Shoreline Foundation, Inc., for the debris removal duration of 4-6 months.
The City presented the plan to the community on February 6, 2025, at the Bayshore Gateway Triangle Advisory Board meeting. The community asked why other locations, including the Naples Landings, were not more suitable. The City and contractor explained that the barge was too large and that the run times for other locations would drive up costs for the project. Bayview is the most efficient location for the project.
The other issues discussed in the meeting relating to the Pier project have been addressed in the MOU, including the hours of operation, access to the docks when the barge is not docked, and assurances that materials will not spill into Danford Street when removed. The community discussed the need for a future sidewalk on Danford Street as there are concerns about park traffic and pedestrians on a regular basis. The Advisory Board made two separate motions. The first motion supported Bayview Park as a staging area for debris removal. The second motion was to work with the residents to plan for a future sidewalk as part of the future Danford Steet roadway and stormwater maintenance project. Both motions passed on a 7-0 vote.
Once permitted, the project is expected to take 18 months to complete. Materials will be staged next to the Pier.