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Vero Beach Airport commissioners forward warning about unlit "Big Blue" towers to City Council
Summary
Airport commissioners on Jan. 23 voted to forward concerns to the Vero Beach City Council after commissioners raised alarms that the old "Big Blue" power-plant towers lack working aviation obstruction lights and could pose a hazard to aircraft.
Airport Commissioner Philip Canal raised an alarm at the Vero Beach Airport Commission’s Jan. 23 meeting, saying the old Power Plant towers known as "Big Blue" have no working aviation obstruction lights and that, at 207 feet, their height and location "pose a threat to aviation safety." Commissioner Philip Canal read a prepared statement urging action and recommended informing the City Council.
Dr. Ian Blair Fries, an alternate commissioner, said he strongly supported Canal’s concern, citing frequent low‑visibility weather and heavy aircraft traffic in the area. "Any object that is 207 feet above the ground is a significant risk and should be appropriately signaled," Dr. Fries said.
Commissioners discussed cost and jurisdictional questions. Commissioner Louis (Buck) Vocelle asked what installation would cost; Canal said costs would "depend on how it is done" and recalled discussing solar‑powered lighting with Three Corners project manager Peter Polk, while noting the airport cannot fund work off airport property and that funding would be the City’s responsibility. City Attorney John Turner advised gathering cost estimates and timing information before taking further steps.
A motion by Commissioner Vocelle to table the item until the commission’s next meeting failed 2–3 (Vocelle and Arthur Hodge voting yes; Carole Jean Jordan, Joseph "Danny" Markford and Philip Canal voting no). After the failed tabling motion, Canal moved to forward information about the ongoing safety risk to the City Council; Carole Jean Jordan seconded, Chairman Arthur Hodge opened and closed public comment with no speakers, and the motion passed unanimously.
The commission did not specify a cost estimate or a schedule for installation; Canal said he would seek further information from the Three Corners project manager and report back at the next Airport Commission meeting. The City Council will receive the commission’s forwarded notice so the city can evaluate funding and timing.
Next steps: the commission asked staff and Commissioner Canal to collect cost and timing details to inform the City Council, but no formal funding commitment or installation plan was adopted at the meeting.
