By summer 2024, Alabama Gulf Coast beachgoers will finally get to enjoy the fully restored pier at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores. The pier closed in November 2023 so work could begin on the $13.6 million project, which will reconnect a section taken out by Hurricane Sally in 2020.

Everyone's hoping history won't repeat itself with storm-related snags and instead allow the work to proceed on schedule. Because of hurricanes, the pier has undergone as many iterations as a celebrity changing their image. Here's to Mother Nature: Give it a rest, would you? It's a pier, not a pop star!

Let's take a look at the timeline up to now and how the pier has served locals and vacationers over many years.

For over a decade, the pier as it stands today withstood storm seasons relatively well. Yet, while we love visitors along the Gulf Coast, occasionally we get an uninvited one. That was the case with Hurricane Sally in 2020, which took out 200 feet and heavily damaged the octagonal endpoint and its amenities. Adding insult to injury, the state had just completed a $2.4 million renovation to that section of the pier.

Up until then, we had a solid decade of everyone enjoying the 1,540-foot-long pier – the longest on the Gulf of Mexico. However, the years prior to the new structure's 2009 opening were not exactly smooth sailing.

The park's original pier opened in 1968 and lasted until Hurricane Frederic took it out in 1979. The replacement pier lasted until 2004, when Hurricane Ivan heavily damaged the entire park. The storm destroyed big sections of the pier and demolished the park's circa-1974 lodge.

The state took on the pier replacement project with fervor, doubling its length and with more durable materials to the tune of about $16 million. Everyone held their breath with Hurricane Gustav in late 2008, which delayed the opening to 2009. Then came Hurricane Ida a few months later, which caused another closure to repair damages.

It took a lot longer to replace the lodge. In 2018, the state completed a $150 million renovation to the entire park, which included The Lodge at Gulf State Park. The high-end hotel and conference center reopened under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels. Sustainability held the forefront of construction, which adhered to the standards of LEED© Gold, SITES© Platinum, and FORTIFIED Commercial™ certifications.

Finally, from 2009 to 2020, the pier hit its stride, especially with fishing enthusiasts. Extending into deeper waters and adding reefs at the pier's end created new experiences for anglers. Some of the fish you can catch there include crevalle jack, king mackerel, whiting, Spanish mackerel, dolphinfish, red drum, sheepshead, flounder, and Florida pompano. As for amenities, there are wheelchair-accessible fishing areas, a bait and tackle shop, and concessions.

There's also a restaurant and bar on the pier, called Bywater Beachside. People can pop in for full meals, refreshing drinks, and spectacular sunset views.

Even with a brief closure following Hurricane Sally in 2020, people have been able to enjoy the operable parts of the pier as plans came together for this latest renovation. It's also a frequent community gathering place for events like the annual Turtle Fest, a joint effort by the park and the Alabama Coastal Foundation.

Turtle Fest typically occurs in September of each year and is a day filled with fun activities and educational programs. People learn about how sea turtles rely on the local beaches to lay eggs and nest, their life cycles, and their significance within the ecosystem.

After a busy summer season, the pier closed in mid-November 2023 so the $13.6 million renovation project could begin. First, divers marked where pilings had fallen in the section to be replaced.

With the pilings marked, a crane began lifting the fallen pieces out of the water, clearing the way for the repair and restoration.

We can't wait to see the new and improved version of the pier in 2024. You can find more information about the pier's history on the Gulf State Park website and follow the Gulf State Park-Alabama Facebook page for project updates.

Have you spent time at the pier at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores? We'd love to hear about your experience. Meanwhile, if you're looking for more things to do in Gulf Shores, check out this highly-rated kayaking experience where you can see dolphins and other wildlife on a guided tour.