County approves funding for Fort Myers Beach projects
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners gave the go-ahead to a number of projects on Fort Myers Beach during their latest meeting Nov. 5.
They include $1.2 million to replace a portion of boardwalk, benches, bridges, pavilion and a kayak launch at the Matanzas Pass Preserve. The board awarded Bayshore Construction with the contract for $900,470 of the work. The funds are from Tourism Development Taxes.
According to the agenda item report, the plans have been in the works since the board approved a plan for $1.1 million of work in April to replace elevated boardwalks along the Davis Simpson Trail and replacement of the paddle craft landing and pavilion. There will also be a replacement of the kayak launch and replacement of benches.
The Matanzas Pass Preserve has approximately 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and hammocks. According to the agenda item report, the boardwalk is in need of replacement to allow continued ADA public access to the undeveloped, protected area of Estero Island.
The board also approved $419,964 for the construction of dune walkovers and ADA ramps at Lynn Hall Memorial Park. The bid was awarded to Fort Construction Group of Naples.
According to the agenda item report, dune system growth at the park creates a maintenance problem because the sidewalk path grade is lower than the dunes. To keep the walkways clear of sand, the dunes are regularly trimmed and the paths are cleared of sand. By constructing four raised dune walkovers, the amount of maintenance work will decrease. One walkover will connect the restrooms to the beach, another will connect Times Square to the beach and two walkovers will connect the parking lots to the beach. Three of the walkovers will provide ADA access to and from the beach. The raised dune walkovers will allow the dune system to expand and have a continuous connection of vegetation.