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Newton Beach Park: temporary restrooms, short-term parking open as beach renourishment continues
Summary
Town staff told the advisory board the temporary restroom trailer and rough temporary parking will open during beach renourishment; longer-term redevelopment is tied to a $3.5 million CDBG allocation and HUD review.
Town staff updated the Fort Myers Beach advisory board March 27 on Newton Beach Park construction, temporary facilities and a longer-term redevelopment path tied to federal grant review.
Jeff Hauge (present at roll call and speaking during the public works updates) said the town has permitted the current ground layout and expects a restroom trailer to be moved in once FPL installs a meter. The trailer and rough temporary parking (about eight temporary spaces for the short term) should be available soon, staff told the board.
Hauge said the beach renourishment contractor will be working in the same area until about May 30–31 and that the town coordinated access with the contractor so the trailer and a small temporary lot could be used while renourishment continues. He emphasized that the temporary 8-space lot is not the final configuration; a later design for the park (previously vetted in a design charrette) would provide more permanent parking — proposals discussed in planning have included up to 17 or 22 spaces in the longer-term design.
Staff reiterated that the town has an allocated $3,500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award for Newton Park that must pass county allocation procedures and HUD review before the funds are released; staff said the grant administrative process and federal and county reviews explain the multi-month delay before construction of the final park plan can begin.
Board members raised concerns that installing temporary infrastructure only to relocate it within a year could be inefficient; staff said the meter and minor power infrastructure were modest costs and the restroom trailer was funded by the Tourist Development Council (TDC). Staff also said the town is looking for additional land acquisitions adjacent to the park and continues outreach on native-plant landscaping and ADA-access features (including beach wheelchairs already received). No formal votes were taken.
