Trolley lane to Beach has concerns
To the editor:
I have read in the local Fort Myers Beach Observer paper (article dated Dec. 23, 2009) that Town Councilman Bob Raymond spoke in favor of a permanent trolley lane on San Carlos Blvd.
The San Carlos Island Redevelopment Corporation represents San Carlos Island and areas of the unincorporated Fort Myers Beach which encompass San Carlos Boulevard and we do not support the designated trolley lane.
The trolley lane would require the elimination of the turning lane on San Carlos Boulevard. This turning lane provides a safe area to wait to turn right or left without stopping traffic to do so. This turning lane services residents and their neighborhoods entering and exiting Indian Creek Park, Bayside Estate, Tip Top Isle, Palm Isles, Siesta Isles, Boardwalk Caper, San Carlos RV Resort, Sunnyland Park and all of San Carlos Island.
This turning lane also provides safe access to over 75 businesses that include but are not limited to the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Indian Creek Shopping Center, Fisherman’s World, Beach Bowl, Dunkin Donuts, Jungle Golf, Fort Myers Beach Fire Station #2, Smugglers Cove, Sandy Butler, Split Rail, Mariners Inn, Pinchers Crab Shack, Getaway Marina, Capt. Tony’s Fishing Adventure, Gulf X Marina, San Carlos RV Resort, Channel Mark, Fish Monger Restaurant. The Smoke House, Capt. Cain’s, Goodwill, Sonoco Gas Station, and all other the businesses along San Carlos Blvd.
Also businesses and neighborhoods on San Carlos Island such as the Key West Express, Salty Sam’s Marina, Parrot Key Restaurant, Port Carlos Cove Park, Ebb Tide Park, Oyster Bay Park, Emily Lane Condo Park, Helen Lane Condo Park, Nancy Lane Condo Park, Gulf Cove Park, Bonair Park, Doc Ford’s Waterfront Grill, Bonita Bills Waterfront Caf, Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center, Dixie Fish Co., Gulf Star Marina, Diversified Yacht Services, Gulf Marine Ways, Kelly Brothers Marine Contractors, Beach Seafood, Semmer Electric, AFA towing, Southwest Florida Marine Institute, Bal Gas and more use the turning lane at some point.
San Carlos Boulevard, provides access to the popular Shrine Club, Moose Club and the American Legion Post #274. Patrons use the turning lane to access and leave these community service clubs.
The entire commercial fishing industry, a $100 million-a-year industry, is serviced by San Carlos Boulevard used by the fueling trucks, service trucks, delivery trucks, and those coming to purchase the best and freshest seafood found in Florida. They currently use the turning lane to wait for traffic in order to turn.
The Fort Myers Beach Fire District and the Lee County Sheriffs Department use the turning lane during accidents and heavy traffic. And please don’t forget our U.S. Coast Guard Station located on San Carlos Island. It currently is the busiest search and rescue station in the continental U.S.
The elimination of the turning land on San Carlos Island will create a dangerous situation for those who live, work and visit San Carlos Island and the unincorporated areas of Fort Myers Beach.
The San Carlos Island community volunteered hundreds of hours to get four lanes and a turning lane on San Carlos Blvd. San Carlos Island and unincorporated Fort Myers Beach does not have a traffic problem, don’t make one.
We are prepared to make our community be heard by attending meetings, signing petitions, making phone calls to stop the elimination of the turning lane on San Carlos Island in favor of a trolley lane.
Joanne Semmer
San Carlos Island