Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/118445
Sarasota News Leader March 29, 2013 Page 45 The planned improvements to Siesta Public to stay, use it," she admonished the audience, Beach park are still pegged at $21.5 million, noting that ridership would determine whethshe said, with 130 new parking spaces to be er it continued. created as part of that work. The county also plans to invest in new facili"I personally am appalled at the price," Pat- ties for Turtle Beach, Patterson noted, includterson said. "It's more than double what we ing a gazebo, walkways and a kayak launch. expected it to be." Additionally, she said, the county is under a She noted that Siesta architect Mark Smith — state mandate to close the sewer plant on Sipast chairman of the Siesta Key Chamber of esta Key, because storms could cause probCommerce — "has been helpful in pointing lems with it that would result in environmenout issues where he thought things were over- tal damage. priced" in the beach project. With the support At the end of this year, Patterson said, a conof commissioners, Smith reviewed the plans tractor will begin constructing a new sewer with representatives of the county's consultforce main under much of Lockwood Ridge ing firm for the design work, Kimley-Horn and Road. A directional bore will be used to run a Associates, and reported his findings to the pipeline under the Intracoastal Waterway and commission last year. Phillippi Estate Park, she added, "and basicalPatterson continued, "The worst thing we ly service [Siesta residents] through mainland could possibly do is to [undertake the work] sewer plants, which will make [the sewer sysin phases and keep the beach basically in tur- tem] safer and better and ultimately cheaper moil for numerous years." as well." Moreover, Patterson pointed out, the Siesta facilities are the only ones at a county beach park that have not been renovated over the past several years. "[This] just happens to be the most expensive [project]," she added. NEW DIRECTORS During the meeting, which was held in the Community Room at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Joyce Kouba, head of the Nominating Committee, reported that all the directors of the past year would be returning to the SKA board. Additionally, Catherine Luckner will remain as president and Helen Clifford will continue to be the treasurer. However, Kouba said, Michael Shay had been elected vice president, with past Vice President Peter van Roekens taking over as secretary. Regarding a trolley for the island: Patterson said it is set to go into service within about 18 months, and a federal grant will cover half the cost at the outset. "If it works out well," she said, "and helps reduce the parking situation, I am sure the county will take it over and run it at full price, about three-quarters of a million dollars a year. But it should be worth The other directors are Beverly Arias, Ron it if it's well used. … If you like it and want it Flynn, Deet Jonker and Joe Volpe. %