News
NORTH BEACH PROJECT
Posted on Dec 19th, 2011
UPDATE ON NORTH BEACH PROJECT December 12, 2011
If you have used the north bridge in the last week, you have probably noticed the first signs of construction activity at Manasota Beach. The project, which has been delayed by permitting issues ( yes, the County has them too ), is finally getting under way.
As you probably know, the existing bath house will be replaced. Access to both that structure and the beach itself will be modified to meet current ADA standards. The parking lot on the north east corner will be redesigned to increase parking by about 100 spaces. The tangle of electrical poles and wires that now dominate the corner are to be placed under ground. New landscaping will be put in place. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 1, 2012.
Because of the delay in starting, much of the construction will take place during the high season. Members have expressed concern about traffic flow and parking during construction. At the last pre construction meeting I was able to extract a promise that the parking lot upgrade will be finished by Feb. 1. We have consistently emphasized to the County that an adequate parking lot is essential to eliminate congestion and illegal parking on the bridge approach. We will monitor the situation and do our best to hold them to that commitment.
I think it is realistic to expect some delays and inconvenience getting through the construction area this winter and spring. At the final pre construction meeting, I emphasized our desire to keep that at a minimum and to keep the area safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. County personnel and the contractors involved agreed and said it was in their best interest as well. We will monitor the situation and do our best to insure that inconvenience to our residents is minimal.
Dick Hess
If you have used the north bridge in the last week, you have probably noticed the first signs of construction activity at Manasota Beach. The project, which has been delayed by permitting issues ( yes, the County has them too ), is finally getting under way.
As you probably know, the existing bath house will be replaced. Access to both that structure and the beach itself will be modified to meet current ADA standards. The parking lot on the north east corner will be redesigned to increase parking by about 100 spaces. The tangle of electrical poles and wires that now dominate the corner are to be placed under ground. New landscaping will be put in place. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 1, 2012.
Because of the delay in starting, much of the construction will take place during the high season. Members have expressed concern about traffic flow and parking during construction. At the last pre construction meeting I was able to extract a promise that the parking lot upgrade will be finished by Feb. 1. We have consistently emphasized to the County that an adequate parking lot is essential to eliminate congestion and illegal parking on the bridge approach. We will monitor the situation and do our best to hold them to that commitment.
I think it is realistic to expect some delays and inconvenience getting through the construction area this winter and spring. At the final pre construction meeting, I emphasized our desire to keep that at a minimum and to keep the area safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. County personnel and the contractors involved agreed and said it was in their best interest as well. We will monitor the situation and do our best to insure that inconvenience to our residents is minimal.
Dick Hess