Controversial lagoon walkover dislodged by Hurricane Milton next to Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area on Fort Myers Beach
By Nathan Mayberg3 min read
1 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
2 / 11
Less than a year after the controversial 298-feet boardwalk was constructed on Fort Myers Beach behind properties owned by Texas Hold'em LLC (Ed Rood) and Squeeze Me Inn LLC (Kurt Kroemer) to cross state lagoons that flow through the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, Hurricane Milton dislodged the bridge. The bridge, which was the subject of numerous lawsuits and hearings over the years after Kroemer and Rood challenged the town's ability to enforce its zoning code and prevent the structure from being built in its environmentally critical zone, is currently split across vegetation. The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council voted to allow the construction of the bridge last year, overturning the precedent set by previous councils that had opposed it. Among other issues, opponents had warned the structure would be vulnerable to hurricanes.
3 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
4 / 11
Less than a year after the controversial 298-feet boardwalk was constructed on Fort Myers Beach behind properties owned by Texas Hold'em LLC (Ed Rood) and Squeeze Me Inn LLC (Kurt Kroemer) to cross state lagoons that flow through the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, Hurricane Milton dislodged the bridge. The bridge, which was the subject of numerous lawsuits and hearings over the years after Kroemer and Rood challenged the town's ability to enforce its zoning code and prevent the structure from being built in its environmentally critical zone, is currently split across vegetation. The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council voted to allow the construction of the bridge last year, overturning the precedent set by previous councils that had opposed it. Among other issues, opponents had warned the structure would be vulnerable to hurricanes. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
5 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
6 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
7 / 11
A sign in front of the lagoon walkover in between the properties of Kurt Kroemer and Ed Rood stating "keep out" was laying on the ground after Hurricane Milton. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
8 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
9 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
10 / 11
The controversial lagoon walkover on Fort Myers Beach was dislodged by Hurricane Milton and now lays mangled across vegetation next to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
11 / 11
Less than a year after the controversial 298-feet boardwalk was constructed on Fort Myers Beach behind properties owned by Texas Hold’em LLC (Ed Rood) and Squeeze Me Inn LLC (Kurt Kroemer) to cross state lagoons that flow through the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, Hurricane Milton dislodged the bridge.
The bridge, located behind 8150 and 8170 Estero Boulevard on the southern end of the island, is currently split across vegetation near the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area. The boardwalk was the subject of numerous lawsuits and hearings over the years involving the property owners and the town, state and local and federal courts after Kroemer and Rood challenged the town’s ability to enforce its zoning code and prevent the structure from being built in its environmentally critical zone. The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council voted to allow the construction of the bridge last year by approving a special exception permit, overturning the precedent set by previous councils that had opposed it. Among other issues, opponents had warned the structure would be vulnerable to hurricanes.
“Part of it was damaged by Milton but will be repaired,” Rood said on Tuesday.
After many years of court cases and town council hearings, the town council last year approved the boardwalk in split votes after Mayor Dan Allers joined newly-elected councilmembers John King and Karen Woodson in reversing votes taken previously to deny a special exception permit for the structure.
Florida Audubon sued the town over the approval, noting that the town’s own planning staff recommended denial of the special exception permit.
The lawsuit was later settled after Rood organized neighbors to send no trespassing letters to Florida Audubon in order to keep the organization away from conducting bird-nesting monitoring activities on their properties. Rood and Kroemer ultimately agreed to allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to monitor bird nesting activities on their properties and rope off nests where necessary.
Under the terms of the settlement, the owners of the boardwalk would agree to close the boardwalk in the future during nesting season if an imperiled bird nest is found within 150 feet of the bridge.
Rood and Kroemer were also required to encourage neighbors to release the no trespassing letters. Island’s End Condominiums, Castle Beach and Island Winds were among the condo associations that rescinded the no trespassing letters though others did not.
In order to build the bridge, Rood and Kroemer also needed the approval of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a submerged-land lease. Officials with the DEP were unable to comment on the matter by press time.
Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt did not return a message seeking comment as to how the town would handle the bridge collapse and what the permit process would entail for rebuilding the bridge.
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com
