Sarasota took its first formal step toward rebuilding Hart's Landing, the fishing pier and bait shop destroyed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

The city-initiated project carries a price tag of just over $3.7 million and would reconstruct the pier at its previous location beneath the John Ringling Causeway, Your Observer reported. The bait shop would move to higher ground for better storm and flood protection, according to documents submitted by land use planning firm Kimley-Horn.

Hart's Landing has been closed to the public since the back-to-back hurricanes destroyed the pier and bait shop. The city demolished the damaged building in November 2025, according to Sarasota Magazine.

The project had its pre-application conference Nov. 4, when plans were presented to the city's Development Review Committee.

What the new Hart's Landing would look like

The proposal calls for a one-story restroom and concession building on higher ground, adjacent to the existing parking lot. Where the original building stood over the water, an open-air shaded pavilion would overlook Sarasota Bay. The pavilion would include bait tanks so customers could buy bait at the new concession building and pick it up closer to the water.

A raised pedestrian crossing would connect the new building to the dock and pavilion. The parking lot would be resurfaced and restriped.

Sarasota Magazine reported the new bait shop and restroom building would be 725 square feet. The original structure sat in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coastal high-hazard flood zone. The replacement building would be constructed outside that zone.

Permitting and timeline

The project site sits within the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) right of way. Kelsie Shy, a landscape architect at Kimley-Horn, said the firm has already been in contact with FDOT. No separate permit is required, Shy said, but the city will need to modify its existing maintenance agreement with the state agency, according to Your Observer.

Christian Tolner, a senior city planner, said the relocated bait shop and restrooms may be able to proceed directly to building permits because they would sit on state transportation property, Sarasota Magazine reported. Rebuilding the docks could require additional zoning approvals and a public workshop.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028, pending City Commission and FEMA approval once plans and permitting are finalized, according to Your Observer. Sarasota Magazine reported a longer timeline: dock construction beginning in 2029 and the entire project expected to be completed in 2031.

Funding

The project would be paid with capital improvement program funds, with reimbursement anticipated from a combination of FEMA and state funds, according to Your Observer. The Herald-Tribune reported that FEMA recovery funding could help pay for the $3.72 million project.

A landmark since 1934

Hart's Landing has been part of Sarasota's fishing community since 1934, when Deamus Hart began selling bait shrimp near Golden Gate Point. The bait shop moved to its causeway location in 1964. The Baldwin family assumed operations in 2017.

The city is still working through permitting and funding requirements, including securing federal and state reimbursements, Sarasota Magazine reported.