Update from the Waterfront Committee

The Kennedy Park dock received its final County RER inspection and is officially completed, this was through a Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Grant. The light pole still needs to be installed and the ground around the new walkway needs leveling. The Kennedy Park shoreline stabilization project has started as we reported the other day. Spoil Island E dock is tentatively set for the May 9 City Commission meeting approval.

The preliminary sketches from the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) were reviewed regarding the Tiki huts on the spoil island. The tiki umbrellas and picnic areas were approved as submitted. The committee drew the current trails and picnic tables already in place and usable on the island. The proposed dock and tiki shelter locations were also added to the sketch. In addition, seven new picnic tiki sites were added to the sketch. There should be signage with rules and regulations near the dock. The grant funding for trails should be used on the main trail from the new dock to the two story tiki shelter, which needs to be ADA compliant.

In regards to the Dinner Key dock master building, the idea of reusing the existing building as the marina user area, and building a smaller administration building over the Water and Sewer pump area has issues with the easements and infrastructure. The administration is still looking into the approved new dock master facility as well as the possible reuse of the existing building.

Students from the Gulliver School are interested in working on a master plan for Spoil Island E. Christina Manrique wishes to come before the Waterfront Implementation committee’s June meeting to discuss this project which would start during the fall school year. Harry Horgan from Shake-A-Leg discussed the problems with the floating dock at Spoil Island C. The sand silting the dock area has been increasing, creating more problems for the dock structurally. The final permits for the dredging need to be obtained before work can begin.

The next Implementation meeting is Wednesday, May 8 at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive), from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.