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County-purchased land remains untouched

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BOB PETCHER The Taylor Rental giant slide and volleyball net at Lee County's newly purchased beach front parcels is gone and replaced by a sign that states the county parks & recreation department is improving "this public park facility."

It’s been referred to as the gateway to the community as recently as Sept. 21 by Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah at Tax Day 2010. But what actually is in store for the entrance to Fort Myers Beach once one drives over the bridge?

The plan remains the same for the Gulf front properties secured by Lee County last week and recently vacated by Taylor Rentals’ giant slide and volleyball net. Lee County Parks & Recreation officials have placed a sign on the flat, barren land which states it is “working hard to improve this public park facility” and “no access or trespassing at this time” though no work has visibly been done so far. The Seafarer’s Mall building still stands and remains in limbo until Judah and his staff hold further meetings with FMB Mayor Larry Kiker and Town Manager Terry Stewart. A ground parking lot is being proposed.

At the Tax Day 2010 workshop, Judah had this to say about the county purchases and the ‘partnership’ with town officials.

“There is no question that this is a unique opportunity and one in which the county was able to move forward with the support of the town council to acquire the three beach front parcels and the Seafarer’s Village building,” he said. “This is a partnership, and I am looking forward to coordinate with the mayor and the town council on ways in which to provide the necessary upgrade and improvements to the three undeveloped lots.”

Judah said the ‘park’ will see improvements which will include features such as shade trees, tiki huts, gazebos, walkways, landscaping and a retaining wall between the road and the park. Across the street, there are still ongoing discussions about the fate of the Seafarer’s building.

“If we were to decide on demolishing the Seafarer’s Village building and create an at-grade parking lot, that revenue should and could definitely be shared with some kind of formula developed between the town council and the county to assist the Beach with upgrades to other infrastructures or enhancing service I believe as long as there is a rational nexus in using that money with beach-related types of projects,” said Judah, who also mentioned “the improvements along that portion of Estero Boulevard will provide for a barrier to properly direct people from the Seafarer’s Village site to the beach and back again.”

The county commissioner has asked the Beach council for other suggestions on how to use the building if it wasn’t demolished. He said “options can be explored from retail stores to restaurants to commercial office space” or other opportunities for “public or private ventures to enhance revenue stream for the town.”

The building and property under it could also be utilized for expected improvements or even expansion to Estero Boulevard.

“The next fiscal year, I believe the county has set aside approximately 1.7 million for small projects that we will coordinate with the town council in working towards the various improvements along the boulevard,” said Judah. “Clearly, I think we are all working for the major comprehensive improvements that involve drainage and resurfacing and widening where feasible. We have completed the survey of the Right-of-way (ROW) so we have the information which we need to work from.”

Judah said his understanding of small projects will involve crosswalks, sidewalks, and trolley pullovers. His discussions with Kiker and Stewart have focused on entertaining necessary improvements in the Times Square area with the purchased properties, which were acquired with Tourist Development Council funds (tourist tax money).

County and town officials will have more opportunities for further discussions to redirect some of the $1.2 million left in the balance from the full amount ($500,000 set aside for small projects in the vicinity of the Times Square area.)

“Ultimately, I think the county needs to incorporate major reconstruction of Estero Boulevard and drainage into our capital improvement program to finalize the necessary improvements within a reasonable time frame,” he said.

Kiker said the “park” should be done by December, while workshops are being conducted and public opinion is being sought for the Seafarer’s property. On Oct. 4, town officials will hold part of its work session on the latter subject.

“The town is going through the permitting processes to fit within its comprehensive plan and make sure we are doing everything right,” said Kiker. “The county has $150,000 set aside with their parks and recreation department (for the “park”). We’ve already approved plans to put some grass, trees, plants, beach accesses, railings for safety, ADA-approved parking on the beach side, and we’ll be bringing in one of our mobile restrooms until they put in a permanent facility.

“As far as the building goes, through our work sessions, my hopes are to build a position to send to the BOCC. In the meantime, we’ve created an email address (ideas@fortmyersbeachfl.gov) for anybody in the county and specifically the Beach that has ideas on what they’d like to do with that property. I’ve heard anything from ice skating rinks to Lee County veteran’s memorial to an amphitheater.”

Kiker believes the worst part of the traffic problem on the Beach lies between the purchased properties.

“We think there is an opportunity there to relieve that ‘bottleneck’ on Estero Boulevard” he said. “Our No. 1 focus with that property since the outset is to see if there is a way to relieve some of the congestion on Estero Boulevard.”