Commissioners Discuss Opening Waterfront Park In Stages

On the eve of the 2012 elections, the city commission meeting on Monday night was brief, but it was not lacking for interesting items both on and off the agenda.

In addition to approving the request by the owner of Supreme Auto Care to develop a new 4,889-sq. ft. building at 1500 10th Street South, the commission also unanimously approved a request to allow a sports fitness center to move into a 3,300-sq. ft. space at 985 Harbor Lake Drive.

And while discussions on the future of the Firmenich property proposal were pushed back until after a traffic study is completed, another hot button topic was brought up by Vice Mayor Joe Ayoub in his commission report: the waterfront park issue.

"We got some good ideas from the steering committee...that focused on the long term plan, but they also had some short term plans," Ayoub said of the committee that came up with three detailed proposals for the property.

"I would ask the commission to start thinking about the short term, getting the park open so the community can start enjoying it." 

The 13-acre property, which was purchased by the city from the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa earlier this year for $2.7 million, is being maintained by the Spa while the city listens to proposals on what to do with the area.

While the three options presented by the steering committee included a variety of amenities, from boat ramps to splash pads, the commission agreed that requests from the community to open the park to the public soon have not gone unnoticed.

Some things that could be done prior to any major development of the property include installing a boardwalk, adding bike trails and providing public access to the designated open spaces, according to Ayoub and Mayor Andy Steingold.

"Of the three plans that were put forth, some parts of each were acceptable," Steingold said. "Addressing the issue as it stands...you can develop that property and it won't interfere in any way with the long term plans."

Others wanted to take a cautious approach before making any decisions.

"I don't necessarily see a rush to get into it," Commissioner Cliff Merz stated.

Commissioner Nina Bandoni concurred with the Merz, stating, "I would like to have a presentation as opposed to making any decisions now...and then move forward from there."

City Manager Matt Spoor informed the commission that the agreement with the Spa requires the city to give the owners 30 days notice whenever it plans to start making improvements to the property.

Spoor said the city could put together estimates as to what it would cost to clean up the property to get it ready for public use and how much it would cost to maintain the park on a yearly basis, and present the findings during a commission meeting in December.

"I'd like to see it on our agenda so we can have longer discussions about it," Steingold admitted. "I'd like to get everyone on board as to what we're going to do...that won't interfere with the future progress of the property."

So, citizens of Safety Harbor, what do you think? Should the city open the park to the public now and decided on the larger aspects of the property later? Or would you like to see them wait until a complete proposal by the steering committee is is accepted? We'd love to hear your opinion in the comments.