Skepticism surrounds Mound House pier approval

The property project that houses Estero Island’s oldest standing structure and is owned by the Town of Fort Myers Beach has moved one step closer to becoming a fully functional and significant archaeological and historic site.
Mound House officials have been given the go ahead to use Lee County Tourist Development Council funds via a grant to design and construct an observation pier at the 451 Connecticut St. location. The Fort Myers Beach Town Council granted the action last week by a 3-2 vote.
Interpretation of the Town Land Development Code appeared to be reason for the close vote and for two Council members to hold off on approving the proposed historic site’s pier. A Beach resident is attempting to put in a second structure at her home on Palermo Street and, due to code language, it is being termed a fishing pier/observation deck, says Councilwoman Summer Stockton. Town code language in Section 26-73 states: “Fishing piers or observation decks may be permitted in areas where water depth is insufficient for mooring.”
“The Council needs to make an interpretation of the word ‘may’ in that paragraph,” said Stockton. “I didn’t want to approve it before we interpreted what ‘may’ meant.”
Ironically, that discussion and possible action will happen Monday during Council’s 6:30 p.m. meeting.
Approval for the capital improvement project may set precedence.
“Now that we voted to allow this observation pier at the Mound House, how can we not allow all residents to do that unless we can find something where we say it is a park or a historical place?,” Stockton questioned.
Mayor Anita Cereceda was the other dissenting vote. After the narrow approval, Cereceda stated she was not voting against the observation pier, but rather against the timing.
“I think the timing on this is hideous, and I don’t think we made a policy decision,” she said. “To me, it is not fair.”
The definition of a pier versus deck has also confused the issue.
“The language is designed to say that that pier can only be put in shallow water,” said Mayor Anita Cereceda.
According to Town records, the observation pier is an added feature for environmental education. In the past, Beach residents, specifically ones near Mound House, have not been supportive of a like structure on that property due to concern that boaters may use it for dockage purposes.
Town Environmental Sciences Coordinator Keith Laakkonen stated there are four requirements for such an observation pier: 1) designed to prohibit motor craft mooring; 2) constructed walkway five feet above mean high water; 3) fixed handrails; 4) no boat mooring sign.
“The intent is that a boat can’t pull up to it,” he said.
Cultural & Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board chair Barbara Hill believes the way the pier is to be structured with signage will be a clear indicator of its intended use.
“I think it’s going to be very clear that that pier is actually part of the educational component in teaching the public of the eco-system of the Back Bay, Matanzas Pass and all the tours that will take place,” she said. “With the pier, (students) will have the opportunity to go out into the bay and look down and see the various plant and marine life.”
Mound House property already has a fishing pier, so officials hope that activity will remain on that older intended structure only.
Councilman Alan Mandel believes the observation pier is an integral part of the tourism draw.
“Mound House officials and CELCAB have envisioned this for a long, long time. We were awarded a grant, and I think there is an obligation since we accepted the grant and have contracted Fowler Construction to design and build it,” he said. “Let’s complete Mound House.”
Now that the Mound House interior has been refurbished, museum panels are being installed and the museum exhibit is being finalized, the observation pier appears to be the final major building block prior to the opening of the full facility. Mound House officials eye an early 2015 opening.
“There is still tons of work to do in terms of the interpretive signage, the panels and kiosks that our consulting firm is busy working on,” said Hill. “But, we are so thrilled to have our new museum director (Alison Giesen) on board. She brings a wealth of knowledge in getting all these projects in the final stage and have them done appropriately.”
The cost proposal by Fowler Construction and Development for the construction of the pier is $248,783. Town records show the engineering consultant services by Coastal Engineering Consultants Inc. is $45,870. The TDC grant, which is more than two years old, was said to be greater than the total cost of $294,653.