Lee looks to TDC for stadium, fishing pier dollars

By Charlie Whitehead
Naples Daily News

Lee County commissioners agreed to fund two different projects Tuesday, but they'll be looking for the Tourist Development Council for reimbursement.

Commissioners agreed to spend $391,989.24 on lighting and seat replacement at Hammond Stadium, where the Fort Myers Miracle play and the Minnesota Twins hold Spring Training. They also agreed to spend $311,576.22 designing a fishing pier off a spoil island at the Sanibel Causeway.

They'll be looking to the TDC, which oversees spending the county's 5 percent bed tax, for reimbursement. The tax, collecting on short-term lodgings of six months or less, generated $19.5 million this year.

"More likely than not it can be funded by the TDC," said Deputy County Attorney Andrea Fraser of the stadium funding.

County Parks Director John Yarbrough said he expects the same thing is true of the pier funding. The TDC already came up with $200,000 to help pay for design. Early estimates are construction, with new slabs placed atop piers saved from the old causeway bridge, will cost around $1.5 million.

"There's been a lot of discussion, and a lot of public support," said Chairman Bob Janes, a resident and former mayor of Sanibel. "I'd hope to move forward with this."

Tamara Pigott of the TDC said the council had discussed the pier funding, but didn't have the money available in 2008.

"TDC was supportive, but realized there was not enough money in '08 to pay for it," she said. "They said they could come back."

Commissioners also agreed to hold public hearings on a controlled access plan for Imperial Parkway between Terry Street and Bonita Bill Drive. The plan, with nine access points, has already received the blessing of the Bonita Springs city council.

The hearings will take place Sept. 4 and 18.