Times Square extension issues under debate
Issues surrounding the rental space for business equipment upon the pavers at Times Square in the downtown area of Estero Island are being looked into.
At Monday’s workshop, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council discussed the right-of-way space within the pedestrian walking plaza. Currently, Times Square merchants are paying $4.50 per square foot annually to lease the Town-owned ROW for the use of tables and chairs. Six restaurants are profiting from the plan, two more have pending applications, one other is planning and two informational businesses (one existing and one planned) are also involved in the extension of business operation permit.
Discussion -and a possible rate increase proposal- will continue at Council’s Jan. 20 workshop. The overriding issue deals with limited space within the square and fairness to all affected businesses to have equal opportunity to rent within the roughly 50 feet in width in the inner corridor.
Right now, Times Square Grill, La Ola Surfside Restaurant, Plaka Restaurant, Kilwins of Fort Myers Beach, Pete’s Time Out and Mango Ritas pay $4.50 per square foot on a yearly basis to extend their dining capabilities. The Beach Pierside Grill and Dairy Queen have pending applications to extend their seating area and the business formerly known as Top O’ Mast is seeking a like extension.
“The tables are what draws people,” said Pete’s Time Out owner John Lallo. “The people across the street have beach frontage.”
The problem is there is only so much room to have tables and chairs in the square. A 20-foot “pathway” needs to be maintained in the middle so that emergency vehicles have access.
“We need to have a space area for pedestrians to walk down the middle of that area,” said Councilwoman Rexann Hosafros. “If the fire department says 20 feet, I am going to go with 20 feet.”
If there is no change to existing businesses’ ROW, the three businesses in question may only have 10 to 12 feet to extend their seating area if a “grandfathering” measure is allowed. Unfortunately, there was not enough information to state what Top O’ Mast, The Beach Pierside Grill and Dairy Queen intend to do. It was said that The Beach Pierside Grill and Dairy Queen may want to add tables and chairs to the existing deck in front their businesses, but Top O’ Mast is still unclear.
“I say that the 20 feet has to rule,” said Hosafros. “There is either room or there isn’t.”
“I personally think we would have to review this again after we see what Top O’ Mast is (asking),” said Mayor Anita Cereceda.
Some Town officials are looking to raise the square footage rate. When the former street first turned into a pedestrian walking plaza years ago, the affected businesses were allowed to extend their businesses via tables and chairs at no cost. The situation changed to $2 per square foot later, then raised to its current rate.
Objections were raised about the space usage and a potential increase in rate, but Cereceda was quick to remind business owners of who owns the right-of-way. Yearly fee renewals occur in April of each year.
“That street belongs to every person who lives on Fort Myers Beach. It doesn’t belong to us who do business there,” she said. “The general public should have the right to enjoy that pedestrian plaza as much as you guys have the right to conduct your business.”
At the workshop, Hosafros was the first official to mention a possible rate increase.
“I don’t care what your argument is going back and forth, $4.50 is incredibly cheap,” she said. “I would vote to raise it.”
Discussion also surfaced about the possibility of having two informational businesses in the square. Tours & Information Center, Inc. has been within the plaza for many years, while the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce is planning on bringing its mobile tourist information trailer (Roxie) there as well. Officials believe both can co-exist next to each other.
“I think the Chamber should go in there,” said Councilman Dan Andre.