{"id":214550,"date":"2026-04-01T14:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/214550\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:11:09","slug":"county-ceremony-marks-matlachas-100th-anniversary-completion-of-several-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/214550\/","title":{"rendered":"County ceremony marks Matlacha\u2019s 100th anniversary, completion of several projects"},"content":{"rendered":"


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County, state and island officials team up to cut the ribbon during the ceremony. PHOTO PROVIDED<\/p>\n

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A poster marking Matlacha\u2019s 100th anniversary.
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Colorful cupcakes at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marked the 100th anniversary of the Matlacha community.
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The front of the Pine Island Art Association, which was repaired by the county after it was damaged by Hurricane Ian. Paulette LeBlanc<\/p>\n

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The Lee Board of County Commissioners held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Matlacha Community Park Tuesday, March 24, celebrating completed repairs to the Matlacha Community Center and Pine Island Art Building, the Florida Department of Transportation Little Pine Island Bridge and Pine Island Causeway reconstruction project, as well as the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Matlacha. <\/p>\n

Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before recognizing fellow commissioners Cecil Pendergrass, Vice Chairman David Mulicka, Brian Hamman and Trish Petrosky. <\/p>\n

Ruane continued to thank participants in this event, such as county staff and administration team, including David Hardener, who oversees all the county including the Department of Transportation. After giving a special thanks to Assistant County Manager Chris Brady and Renn Sailor, he thanked multiple county departments including Lee DOT, Parks and Rec, Facilities and Construction Management for making the day possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d also like to recognize some of our partners \u2014 Fire Department, Department of Transportation \u2014 Wayne Gaither\u2019s here, obviously recognize our governor for all his support through this process \u2013Gov. Ron DeSantis, our key partners in construction will always be in contractors that really delivered what they could. Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Matlacha Pine Island Fire District, Lee County School District, as well as some dignitaries,\u201d Ruane said, motioning toward Sen. Jonathan Martin.<\/p>\n

Recognizing the celebration of three major milestones in the Greater Pine Island Community, Ruane explained, the county\u2019s completion of Matlacha Park Community Art Center, FDOT Little Pine Island Bridge, and the 100th anniversary of Matlacha. These projects, he said, represent partnerships and resiliency gained through necessity. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis moment is meaningful, to say the least\u2026today offers an opportunity to honor Matlacha\u2019s past and continues to reinvest in the future,\u201d Ruane said.<\/p>\n

Lee County Commissioner and Board Chairman Cecil Pendergrass thanked Pine Islanders for the strength shown in the last few years, saying we will come back even stronger.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year makes the 100-year anniversary for Matlacha\u2026it\u2019s an important thing that we do preserve the current environment out here \u2014 still no high rises, no big public beaches \u2014 we do have some traffic though here \u2014 we have to deal with the traffic, but we have a new bridge now, we have a new park,\u201d Pendergrass said, thanking attendees for their patience with Lee County.<\/p>\n

Lee County Commissioner Brain Hamman shared with attendees, his perspective of the morning after Hurricane Ian, which was Sept. 29, 2022. Hamman said he saw what he described as one of the most shocking things he\u2019d ever seen in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to come out to Matlacha and I saw that the road was just\u2026no longer there\u2013that the power of the water and the hurricane had completely cut through the island and it was shocking, it was devastating and I know, you could see, obviously, the devastation in the homes that was felt here and I believe in the 100-year history of Matlacha, that was absolutely one of the toughest days in the history of Matlacha, but I\u2019m so proud to be here \u2014 to be part of this team, on now, the 100-year anniversary of Matlacha, knowing confidently that its brightest days are ahead,\u201d Hamman said. <\/p>\n

Florida Sen. Martin talked about his amazement in the fast response to damages caused by Hurricane Ian by everyone, from Gov. DeSantis, to even the smallest community organizations. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur number one priority has been to not just rebuild the infrastructure, but ultimately to make sure that the great people who make this community just an incredible place, have the resources they need to get on with their lives and to continue to spread what makes Southwest Florida so special. It\u2019s an honor to serve you and whatever you need in the future \u2014 let me know\u2026let\u2019s celebrate today and remember those who made today special,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n


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