Sebastian boat trailer parking under review

Tag : boat trailer part
Work could begin this fall on the redesign of the MainStreet and Indian River Drive intersection for a new boat trailerparking area along the Indian River Lagoon.
City Manager Al Minner said the site plan for the road redesign andparking project could be presented to the City Council in July. Thecity's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval earlierthis month.
The project is estimated to take seven to nine months to completeonce it gets under way. Main Street east of U.S. 1 might have to beshut down for about 45 days.
The project has caused a split among council members, residents andbusiness owners in the area, with two petitions containing almost600 names in opposition to it presented to the council last yearand earlier this year.
Opponents have contended redesign is not beneficial to boaters ormotorists and would obliterate a park behind the Sebastian AreaChamber of Commerce building for a parking lot. The grassy areabehind the chamber's building contained playground equipment manyyears ago, but officials say it is rarely used now.
The chamber has endorsed the project, which has been supported byMayor Andrea Coy and council members Sal Neglia and Dale Simchick.
Administration officials say the redesign will make the area saferby allowing boaters to use the Main Street boat ramp and park theirtrailers without unduly holding up traffic.
City Councilman Eugene Wolff, however, has said the project is tooexpensive and Councilman Al Paternoster suggested the money wouldbe better used elsewhere.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be about $2.4 mil lion, which includes the city's earlier purchase of land next tothe boat ramp for about $400,000.
City staff has a $488,000 grant to cover some of the $1.82 millionconstruction cost, with the rest of the money coming fromrecreation impact fee money and the community redevelopment areafund. City staff also has applied for a $425,291 Florida BoatingImprovement Grant.
If the city gets the grant, it would reduce the amount ofrecreation or community redevelop ment money it has to spend.