Officials urged to help with golf course property
To the editor:
I was very disappointed to read in the April 1, 2015 Fort Myers Beach Observer that Lee County has dropped its due diligence process to possibly purchase the abandon Ft. Myers Beach Golf Course for much needed Open Space on Ft. Myers Beach. I understand County Board Chair Larry Kiker’s frustration with the litigation brought on by the Golf Course owner, but would hope that common sense would prevail on this issue. The golf course failed as a commercial venture and as Chairman Kiker indicated the golf course will never be reopened since it cannot support itself. The owner is being totally unrealistic in both his lawsuit and asking price. 78% of the 55 acres MUST remain open space and undeveloped. That was the original agreement when Bay Beach was developed. The golf course was a secondary use, and it simply cannot financially support itself. The land owner knows that and is just trying to use the courts to enrich himself.
The 55 acres CANNOT be developed for housing or commercial use because it is a wetlands and provides storm water drainage and filters water runoff into the Estero Bay Back Bay fish hatchery.
Purchasing the 55 acres as part of Lee County and the State’s Open Space program is the only logical conclusion. The 55 acres not only provides drainage for the neighborhoods on the north and south side, but also is quickly becoming a wonderful birding area. Thus, when purchased by the County it would serve both function (retaining and filtering storm water) and protecting the fish hatchery for the sports fishermen, but also a needed natural area where residents and visitors can enjoy the island environment with the wildlife by using the old golf cart trails as walking trails when the trails are not flooded with rain run off. The 55 acres is the last remaining open space on Ft. Myers Beach and MUST NOT BE LOST to the residents and visitors.
The 55 acres is just east of the Little Estero protected area (a Critical Wildlife Area) at the south end of Ft. Myers Beach which is a breeding area for many of our important short birds like the Least Tern, and already many of beautiful wading birds like the Spoonbill, Egret and Great Blue Heron are using the ponds on the old golf course to gather and feed. Smaller birds are also nesting in the trees on the property. The Lovers Key/Ft. Myers Beach Eagles are also using the abandon golf course on a daily basis to feed. Preserving the 55 acres for the use of wildlife and the public while securing an important drainage and filtering area to protect the Gulf fishery is a win-win-win. It will also prevent further traffic congestion, not a small issue on our Island.
Please urge County Board Chairman Larry Kiker, Mayor Anita Cereceda and our legislators to put the purchase of this vital 55 acres at the top of the list for Lee County and Amendment 1 open space land purchases. 82% of the voters on Ft. Myers Beach voted in favor of Amendment 1 so it is clear that the good people of Fort Myers Beach are committed to open space.
We must not let silly litigation and greed block this once in a lifetime opportunity to do the right thing for our kids, grand kids and wildlife.
Bill Morris
Fort Myers Beach