Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff reports progress on piers, restrooms and a potential 55-acre Deer Point Lake purchase
Summary
Staff updated the board on near-complete pier and restroom projects, life-jacket loaner stations, the contracted pier operator that is saving the county money, and preliminary talks about buying 55 acres near Deer Point Lake for about $1.08 million.
Agency staff gave a broad update on parks capital projects and operations, including beach-access rebuilds, pier work, restrooms, playground renovations, safety initiatives and a potential land purchase adjacent to Ira Hutchinson Park.
Staff said Beach Access 7 rebuilds are nearing completion after DEP approved reconstruction within the existing footprint, and that an ADA overlook is complete with railings set to allow standard ADA wheelchair users to see over the dunes. MB Miller Pier access was described as nearly finished except for some railing material on back order. Lake Powell restrooms are under construction and staff projected an opening by the end of May.
Staff also described life-jacket loaner stations being installed at Lake Powell and Ira Hutchinson through partnerships with FPL, Sunjammers, Dixie Supply, Portland Lumber and Bay District Schools; the stations provide free loaner life jackets available 24 hours a day.
On operations, staff said pier operations have been contracted to Coastal Paracel; that arrangement lowers the county's operating cost compared with previous in-house estimates and produces annual savings staff cited at about $175,000. Staff said the contractor will run daily pier operations while the county retains responsibility for capital items such as roof systems.
Staff also discussed a possible Deer Point Lake acquisition: "There's 55 acres that we're looking at... the original cost we were talking about was $1,080,000 for 55 acres," an agency official said, adding that the parcel includes wetlands and that the county is exploring the opportunity but no purchase decision has been made.
Board members asked for follow-up information on project timelines and for future updates on the Deer Point Lake opportunity as the county evaluates closing milestones and budget implications.
