Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Playground Lease topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chabad proposal for Bella Vista green space to include playground and community garden; FDOT rules and parking tradeoffs discussed
Summary
Chabad representatives proposed a privately funded playground and community garden on FDOT‑leased green space at Bella Vista Bay Park; staff cautioned the parcel must remain public and outlined a parallel plan to build about 21 paid parking spaces under a bridge at an estimated $400,000 cost.
Rabbi Keller’s Chabad group presented preliminary plans to build a playground and community garden on a grassy FDOT‑leased parcel west of the Bella Vista parking lot. City staff said the parcel is part of an FDOT lease to the city and that FDOT requires the area remain open and available for public use: the city could sublease the parcel and manage the improvements, but the area must remain open to anyone and the city would retain lease obligations to FDOT.
Staff explained legal and operational constraints: FDOT will require a formal application and an amended lease to allow physical improvements, and the parcel cannot be fenced or reserved for private use. Staff also explained that, as a leased state parcel, if the city surrendered its lease rights FDOT would open the parcel to bids, meaning a third party could obtain the lease in a new procurement.
Rabbi Keller’s proposal would be privately funded for construction and maintenance; staff said the city’s legal and insurance review would be required before any sublease. Commissioners generally supported the concept and asked staff to work with Rabbi Keller on permitting, insurance and lease details. Several commissioners noted the community benefit of a local playground and a garden that could reduce the school’s need to cross to Gateway Park for outdoor activities.
Separately, staff proposed converting an under‑bridge staging area adjacent to the parking lot into approximately 21 metered parking spaces at an estimated build cost of roughly $400,000. Staff said FDOT would still collect 40% of parking revenue under the FDOT lease terms but the city could improve parking supply for the area; commissioners expressed support for converting an underused, mosquito‑prone eyesore to paid parking if FDOT approves.
Ending: The commission gave staff direction to continue negotiations and to pursue the permitting steps with FDOT and the city’s building department, with the caveat that the park space remain open to the public and that the city would require Rabbi Keller to accept the potential risk of FDOT lease changes that could affect invested funds.
