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Board orders removal and replacement plan for Lindapeterson observation tower; calls for bonding and tourism-funded rebuild
Summary
After engineers deemed the county's Hernando Beach observation tower unsafe, commissioners voted to remove the structure and develop a new design for reconstruction, directing staff to pursue bonding with tourism-tax repayment; board urged private-sector partners to contribute.
Hernando County commissioners voted Sept. 9 to remove the unsafe Lindapeterson observation tower at Hernando Beach and to direct staff to pursue a replacement plan that would be designed and financed for reconstruction, with the county exploring bonding and the use of tourism-tax revenues to repay the project.
The structural report presented to the board concluded the existing tower was unsafe for public use and recommended perimeter fencing and frequent inspections if the board chose to delay removal. The county—ngineering consultant estimated removal and a full replacement would cost roughly $543,642, a figure that prompted commissioners to consider a mix of private and public funding rather than diverting general-fund dollars.
Board action: By voice vote (5-0), commissioners authorized staff to proceed with a two-phase approach: (1) remove the unstable structure using the county—apital project already set aside for tower removal and (2) commission a new design and include a replacement project in a proposed capital bond package that staff may finance and repay with tourism-tax (bed-tax) funds or other designated destination-development revenues. The board asked staff to return with a design, cost estimate and a recommended financing plan.
What staff presented: Public Works and parks staff said the engineer—ound substantial structural deterioration and that temporary measures would not be a long-term solution. The engineer recommended a safety perimeter, weekly visual inspections and semiannual engineering reviews if removal were deferred, but staff advised that removal and a fresh design would be safest and most reliable.
Funding discussion: Commissioners debated funding sources. Several proposed private donations, naming-rights campaigns and public-private partnerships to reduce county cost. County leaders said tourism-tax revenues are an allowable funding source for destination-development projects, but cautioned the board that tourism funds are limited and many projects compete for those dollars. Administrator Jeff Rogers said a bonding approach would let future tourism revenue pay the debt rather than rely on a one-time general-fund draw.
Community reaction and next steps: The tower carries symbolic local value; commissioners noted widespread public interest in preserving the viewpoint. The board asked parks staff to present a tower design and financing plan within weeks and to secure bids and private partnership commitments where possible. In the interim staff will secure the site per the engineer's recommendations and schedule removal if no private funding materializes.
Engineer recommendation excerpt (on record): The structural consultant concluded the "tower is unsafe for public use" and recommended an immediate perimeter fence and regular inspections if the board deferred removal. The board voted to remove and rebuild under a bonding plan funded primarily by tourism taxes and private contributions, returning later with final design and financing details.
No final appropriation for a rebuild was made on Sept. 9; the board approved a path forward to remove the structure and design a replacement that will return for final board funding decisions.
