Phase 4 of Estero Boulevard project discussed
Estero Boulevard construction work was back for discussion before Fort Myers Beach Town Council Monday.
Council went over final budgeting for Estero Boulevard’s Phase 4, which is the final stretch from Albatross Lane to the end of island.
The primary public concern was how using rights of way would affect their properties. Some residents also maintain there has not been enough public notice for the hearings, although staff says they have followed all possible avenues for scheduling and announcements.
“We’ve tried our very best to be accountable to residents and their quality of life, held meetings and went through property to property as best as we can, we’ve really bent over backwards this time,” Council member Joanne Shamp said.
The right of way for the town during this part of construction is an often overlooked feature of the roads and neighborhoods along Estero Boulevard. Most residents either think of it as their property or at least in line with the value, although it is public property for possible public use.
“There has always been an issue with public meetings. We’ve held dozens of them on the right-of-way construction we have to do for this project, as Council is well aware. People tend to take right of ways for granted since we generally don’t have many projects that use it, so we try our best to keep room for neighborhoods for larger, decorative mailboxes and landscaping on individual properties that may go over right of way boundaries for the city,” said Roger Hernstadt, town manager.
The entire project is slated to end in the fall of 2021, in line with the original contract, although there is some talk that it could be done slightly sooner.
In other business, Roar Offshore was another piece of conversation.
“It was great to have the races back; we had a ton of people out having fun, and it seemed to be a huge hit,” Vice Mayor Ray Murphy said.
There aren’t any final totals for overall headcount or economic impact, but there a meeting with the Roar representatives will be held in the near future, officials said.
Also in other business:
– The Public Safety Committee has sent back its recommendations for the updates to the Matanzas Bridge, and the council will have a joint session on the Oct. 29 with the Planning Council to go over their options.
These could include shifting the number and location of crosswalks in the Times Square Region, as well as moving the tram location from the traffic corner to further south along Crescent Beach Park.
– The fertilizer ordinances are back on the front of the Council’s mind, and the Town is ready to do its due diligence.
“Staff is coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida, but the state requires an advance review and study to replace its pre-emption regulations for fertilizer requirements for local use, so we’re investing in our own study to qualify,” said John Herin Jr., attorney for the Town of Fort Myers Beach.