Legacy Harbour Marina, a familiar destination along the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers, is moving forward with plans to rebuild following the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. AIRN Management, LLC, which owns the marina, has partnered with Bellingham Marine to lead the redevelopment. Construction began in early 2025, with the marina projected to reopen in Q1 2026.
Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm when it made landfall in September 2022, brought damaging winds and record-breaking storm surge. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it was the costliest hurricane to impact Florida, causing more than $112 billion in damage. Legacy Harbour was left in ruins, and redevelopment efforts were initially delayed. AIRN Management, which had recently taken over the property before the storm, has spent the past three years clearing the site and preparing for reconstruction.
“This marina has always played an important role in the Fort Myers boating community,” said Rick Budd, chief executive officer of AIRN Management, LLC. “We’re committed to restoring Legacy Harbour in a way that not only honors its history but brings in modern improvements and safeguards for the future.”
Images Courtesy of: Michael Graves & Assoc
Plans include 131 slips ranging from 40 to 150 feet. The new design features Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat® concrete wave attenuator system, supported by 70-foot steel piles driven into the seabed. Interior slips will use an Unideck® aluminum frame dock system with WearDeck synthetic decking. The two systems will provide protection, stability and value to the customers of the marina. Larger steel pipe piles with HDPE sleeves will improve durability and reduce maintenance. Upgrades also include new utility services. Slips will have potable water, in-slip pump-out, fire suppression, fiberglass dock boxes, and both single- and three-phase power.
Legacy Harbour spans approximately 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River, including eight acres of submerged land and 4.6 upland acres. Its riverfront location offers direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and walkable access to downtown Fort Myers. Legacy Harbour Marina is located at 2044 West First Street, just steps from Fort Myers’ River District. The site is leased through the City of Fort Myers and will operate as a slip-leasing facility.
Slip reservations are expected to open approximately six months prior to the first-quarter 2026 opening. For inquiries about future slip availability, please contact Eric Ravenschlag by emailing EricR@airnmanagement.com.
About Legacy Harbour Marina
Legacy Harbour Marina is located on the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers. Previously a homeport for boaters traveling Florida’s west coast, the marina was severely damaged during Hurricane Ian in 2022. A full redevelopment is now underway, with new dock systems, expanded slip capacity, and modern utility upgrades planned. The marina is owned by AIRN Management, LLC, and operated under lease with the City of Fort Myers. For more information, please visit fmlegacyharbour.com. For inquiries about future slip availability, please contact Eric Ravenschlag by emailing EricR@airnmanagement.com.
Image Courtesy of: Michael Graves & Assoc
About Bellingham Marine
Innovating the waterfront since 1958, Bellingham Marine turns comprehensive marine construction visions into reality. Bringing unmatched expertise to every waterfront project, Bellingham specializes in turnkey solutions, floating structures, and single-source marina contracting. From private docks to commercial marinas, the team guides all of its clients from the initial concept to final completion of a project. With almost seven decades of marine development and innovation, Bellingham Marine has created award-winning floating systems that are not just functional, but also exceptional. For more information on Bellingham Marine visit www.bellingham-marine.com or email bmi@bellingham-marine.com.
Feature Image Courtesy of: Michael Graves & Assoc
