Indian Shores eyes funds for new park
Town files grant application with Florida Forever Program for land
By BOB McCLURE
Article published on Tuesday, May 20, 2008  |
INDIAN SHORES – The Town of Indian Shores has filed a grant application with the Florida Communities Trust Florida Forever Grant Program that would open the door for the development of a town park in the 19900 block of Gulf Boulevard.
If the grant request is approved, the Florida Division of State Lands would purchase two parcels totaling 1.94 acres, where the town would partner with Pinellas County to build its proposed Gulf-To-Beach Access Park.
The property fronts the Intracoastal Waterway on the east side of Gulf Boulevard, the Gulf of Mexico on the west side and would be joined by a cross walk across Gulf Boulevard.
Amenities would include mangrove and sea oats restoration, a walking trail through the park, a meditation labyrinth, picnic facilities, observation tower, canoe/kayak launch, educational kiosks, benches, restrooms, showers and parking.
“We’ve been looking for something to promote development in that area,” said Mayor James Lawrence. “We’ve been looking for something that would be good for the people. I think most people would rather see a park than a condo.”
Lawrence said the land is currently unoccupied and owned by Atlantic West LLC, a company consisting of investors primarily from Michigan.
The land, which is immediately south and west of the former Fathom’s Restaurant, currently has no structures on it.
The Town Council approved the grant application at a special meeting May 1.
Indian Shores has teamed with the Florida division of the Trust for Public Land, which helps city and county governments complete the purchase of park land using Florida Communities Trust funds.
“We’re very familiar with the FCT process and that’s why we got involved in this one,” said Alex Size, a project associate with the St. Petersburg office of Trust for Public Land. “This came about quickly and (Indian Shores) asked for our help.”
Size said this year’s available funds for state land acquisition is about $63 million. He said applicants can apply for up to 10 percent of that amount ($6.3 million).
“We’re doing appraisals on the property,” Size said, “and we’re looking at a little more than half of that for a possible sales price.”
The town is partnering with Pinellas County on the park construction, which is expected to strengthen its grant application.
“We’ll know in the fall if we’re approved,” said Lawrence. “They (TPL) say we’re competitive.”
Lawrence said the town is exploring other grant options for its portion of the park construction, which would not use taxpayer dollars. No preliminary figures on the cost have been put together yet.
Lawrence said the town would have public information sessions on the proposed project during the summer.
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Article published on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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