Fort Myers Beach Round-Up: Beach Nourishment, Millage Rates, and Controversial Turf

Estero Island begins beach nourishment, Town recommends steady millage rate, and Crescent Beach sparks turf controversy

Jul 11, 2024

By Richard Luthmann

Fort Myers Beach continues to navigate recovery and development projects, balancing environmental concerns, fiscal responsibility, and community needs.

Estero Island Beach Nourishment and Hurricane Recovery Project

The Estero Island Beach Nourishment and Hurricane Recovery Project started on July 8, 2024. The project will dredge 950,000 cubic yards of sand from a nearshore borrow area in the Gulf of Mexico onto FMB. The project aims to repair and enhance the beach after recent hurricane damage.

Construction will begin at North Estero Island near Bowditch Park. Ahtna Marine Construction Corporation is leading the effort in assembling dredge pipes. Beach operations, including transporting equipment and laying pipes along the beach, will begin on July 15.

The initial phase will involve laying dredge pipes from the borrow area through a designated corridor onto the beach, progressing north towards Bowditch Park. Ahtna will construct the beach from 100 to 500 Estero Blvd before redirecting southward.

The project will take six months to complete and includes environmental precautions to monitor shorebirds, sea turtle nesting, and turbidity levels once pumping begins.

Town Council Maintains Current Millage Rate

In other town news, FMB staff recommend that the Town Council maintain the current millage rate of 0.9 following the release of the Final Tax Roll values by the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office on July 1, 2024.

FMB Town Council Members deliberate at a recent meeting.

The increased taxable value will generate additional tax revenue sufficient to fund contributions to the town's emergency reserve as part of the FY25 budget without raising the millage rate.

The results of a recently completed financial statement audit confirm that enough of the unassigned fund balance in the General Fund exists. This allows the staff to recommend using a portion of it to strengthen the town’s emergency reserves.

Officials say this move is fiscally responsible, ensuring the town is prepared for future emergencies without burdening residents with higher taxes.

Lee County Board Approves Plan to Replace Crescent Beach Sand with Turf

Meanwhile, a significant development at Crescent Beach Family Park has sparked controversy. The Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved a plan to replace the sand at Crescent Beach with artificial turf. This $1 million plan includes the installation of a turf field and shade structures, which will eliminate the existing beach volleyball courts.

Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt expressed surprise at the county's decision, citing a lack of detailed plans presented to the town. He noted that while discussions with the county regarding the pier have been productive, there has been little dialogue about Crescent Beach Family Park. Although not involved in the county’s plans, Mayor Dan Allers sees potential benefits if the artificial grass increases park use.

Some residents and local officials have criticized the approval. Town council member Scott Safford vocally opposes the plan.

“I vote for sand on a beach. It’s a beach, there should be sand. Families don’t go the beach for artificial turf, they go for sand,” Safford said.

Safford also has concerns about the practicality and environmental impact of artificial turf. He pointed out that artificial turf can become too hot to walk on barefoot during the summer and believes that natural sand is more suitable for the park.

Resident Joyce Campana also criticized the proposal as a waste of taxpayer dollars, arguing that a beach should have natural sand. Environmental concerns were raised by resident Marcia Ellis, who pointed out the potential release of toxic chemicals from artificial turf. She noted that such surfaces have been linked to contaminants like perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

County Commissioner and Chairman Mike Greenwell defended the plan, suggesting that the county may save money over time by reducing beach maintenance. Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass supported the addition of shade structures to provide sun protection. During a recent Commissioners meeting, Assistant County Manager Robert Codie presented the plans, highlighting that the new turf field would facilitate events at the park. However, the artificial turf will essentially cover the sand area, eliminating the possibility of beach volleyball.

This plan follows a series of proposals to overhaul the park, which the county acquired after Hurricane Charley destroyed several beachfront hotels. Former FMB Councilmember Bill Veach criticized the plan, emphasizing the environmental benefits of natural sand and native vegetation. He argued that the county should set a positive example by protecting water quality, which is crucial for tourism and residents.

The Crescent Beach Family Park project is one of several initiatives by the county, including a $17 million rebuild of the FMB Pier and repairs to Bowditch Point Regional Park. The latter has been closed since Hurricane Ian, and updates on its reopening remain pending.