Council works to get Mound House open sooner
The first piece of property that the Town of Fort Myers Beach purchased when it incorporated nearly 15 years ago to the day was a major discussion item at the FMB Town Council workshop last week.
The Mound House, which was secured with funds from Florida Communities Trust in 2000, is nearing the final stages of restoration. Council members discussed specific issues such as project commitment, funding options for house renovation, observation pier, intensity of operations and site parking.
Town Manager Terry Stewart will be contacting FCT officials about detail construction issues before the council convenes at the Jan. 18 meeting.
“It’s time to move this thing towards some kind of conclusion that will bring closure to the folks that support the Mound House and for those in the neighborhood that have concerns of what the eventual operations of the Mound House will be like,” said Stewart. “This council does not want to keep going to the well on this thing over and over again. There is a desire to get it done and (figure out) what makes the most logical sense about how we get this property finished and open in some fashion or form and available to the citizens of Fort Myers Beach and folks who visit from the outside.”
Council consensus appears to get the Mound House doors open as soon as possible. Some members even eye March 1 as a possible target date for visitors to visit. However, the museum element would not involve furnishings at that time, and some pieces would be missing. An additional and separate phase of work would include that aspect. An architectural consultant for the remaining work to be done was recommended by town staff.
Property management objectives have been outlined in the house’s management plan with FCT, but both parties can accept modifications.
“The restoration of the (Mound House) structure entails bringing it to a particular configuration which existed in 1921,” said Stewart. “The main form of that configuration has already been established with the restructuring of the outside. What has to be accomplished now is the safety issues like the lead paint that needs to be stripped and removed, wood paneling which needs to be put back up, molding that needs to be done and things of that nature.”
After checking with a local fire inspector, Stewart found out the building’s doors do not need to be reconfigured. Joe Kosinski, a Local Planning Agency member and professional structural engineer, has offered his services pro bono.
“The majority of the work to return the structure to the 1921 mode has already been done,” said Cultural Resources Director Theresa Schober, who added some additional exhibits need to be installed for the underground exhibit to be complete in March or April.
If all goes well, the grounds and exhibit excavation area could be opened by March or April. The house could be complete by October of 2011.
Regarding the observation deck, Stewart proposed putting out request for proposals for construction bids. Neighbors have objected the idea of having such a large decking near their properties due to noise and fear of late night usage.
“We have had so many public discussions on every aspect of this property, and I’m just confident that people will come forward at public comment and make the exact same comments they’ve been making all this time,” said Councilwoman Jo List. “There are some people who like it, and some people who don’t.”
Regarding the proposed parking site for Mound House at 216 Connecticut St., town staff received council consensus to begin an in-house zoning process with preparations and review through a plan development application and its master concept plan.
“It’s very inexpensive, and really just (involves) the cost of the advertising and staff’s time,” said Community Development Director Walter Fluegel, who estimated a minimum of 80 hours of staff time and roughly $5,000 in cost.
Councilman Alan Mandel tried to work a timeline into the equation if all the elements were approved and authorized to move forward.
“So, if everything went smoothly, we are probably a year away from parking, the observation deck and the house being completed,” he said.
Expect the next council meeting (Jan. 3) or the following one after that (Jan. 18) to be incorporating public input on this agenda item.