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Bluffs fights for bridge-approach park
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 |
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| The city of Belleair Bluffs wants to enhance this greenspace, which is owned by the county, to include benches and other park amenities. |
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BELLEAIR BLUFFS – The city of Belleair Bluffs wants to develop a green area surrounding the flagpole on the south side of the Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge approach into a pedestrian-friendly space with benches, winding sidewalks and landscaping. The land is maintained by the city under a license agreement with the county.
So far the county is saying no to anything but grass on the property, city attorney Thomas Trask reported at the Dec. 21 City Commission meeting. “We’re not allowed to put anything out there. The county is saying, ‘You have a right to cut the grass and maintain the property. That’s it.’ ”
Under the agreement, the county is giving the city a lot of responsibility and expense, but no rights, Trask said.
The city has had benches on the site in the past. But the county canceled the lease right before construction began and has replaced it with a month-to-month license arrangement containing new restrictions, Trask indicated.
Trask said he and public works director Robert David were scheduled to meet with the county to discuss the property agreement.
Mayor Chris Arbutine told Trask, “Go there and tell them we’re not going to do this. We’re not going to spend all this money to take care of your land.”
The city would like to create park-like amenities on the land, he said. “This is what we want.”
Commissioners Jack Nazario and Suzy Sofer also favored landscaping the area. Nazario said another parcel of county land on the north side of the bridge that is being maintained by the Harbor Club condos could also be developed with amenities. That parcel is covered under the same agreement.
On Dec. 22, David and Trask met with county official Elizabeth Spaulding. According to Trask, that meeting “went very well” from the city’s standpoint. He said Spaulding agreed to modify the license/lease to allow recreation and park facilities on the property. That would permit the city to install landscaping, benches, paving and possibly a gazebo, Trask indicated.
He said that any agreement would have to be approved by county officials and the Bluffs commission.
“This is not a done deal until everybody signs off,” he said.
Bridge opening ceremony
A ceremony celebrating the Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge opening is planned, but the date has not yet been set, David reported. The event will be held at the far west end of the boat ramp area.
The bridge will not be closed to allow an antique car parade, as some commissioners wanted. David said the county does not want to disrupt bridge traffic for the ceremony.
Tentatively scheduled speakers at the ceremony are Congressman Bill Young, County Commissioner Karen Seel, Mayor Chris Arbutine, and Belleair Beach Mayor Lynn Rives.
Employee bonuses approved
Following tradition, the commission approved $375 Christmas bonuses for seven city employees, totaling $2,600. City Clerk Debra Sullivan noted her staff received no raises this year, due to the city’s financial plight. She thanked the commission for approving the money saying, “It was very unexpected.”
Drainage project completed
The massive drainage and landscaping project on the city’s northwest side has been completed, David reported. The job has taken nearly two years to finish, at a cost of $700,000. A Swiftmud grant has paid for most of the cost.
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Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009
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