Waterfront Park Strategy Discussed at City Commission Meeting

Before Mayor Joe Ayoub even took office in January, he said he was determined to make the waterfront park one his top priorities this year. 

With the Firmenich proposal now in hands of the county, the issue of the development of the 13-acre property located behind the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa was on the City Commission agenda Monday night.

But any hopes for a speedy completion of the park were squashed once the subject of how much the project was going to cost – and where the funds would come from – was discussed.

With a projected cost of $6.3 million for phases one and two of the project, and questions as to where the funds would come from, the commission decided to take a slow approach to the impending development of the property. 

“I agree we need to approach this in a cautious method, but I think we need to be aware that a project of this scope, just by its nature, is going to take a long time to begin with,” Mayor Ayoub said after listening to reports from city officials and concerns of fellow commissioners. 

“There are several phases involved. But I’d like to explore the option of at least getting it open to the public,” he added.

Community Development Director Matt McLachlan outlined the details of the plan, of which Phases I & II are made up of five components: design and permitting; site preparation; construction; landscaping; and site furnishings.

Keep up to date on all the local issues. Sign up for the free Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter and you won't miss a thing!

Out of the total cost of $6.3 million for the project, Phase I is estimated to cost anywhere from $3.4 million to $4.2 million, depending on the possible inclusion of a boardwalk system, while Phase II is estimated to cost $2 million. The estimated annual operating costs for the two phases would be $129,000.

While as much as $710,000 of the money could come from grants, when City Manager Matt Spoor advised that part of the financing could come from either reserve funds or dedicated taxes, some of the commissioners balked.

“While I’m totally comfortable with Phase I, I’m not completely comfortable talking about the idea of the reserve use,” Commissioner Nancy Besore said. "I'm very cautious about the speed which we run through the phases. I like the slow approach. Slow is best."

Commissioner Nina Bandoni concurred. 

“I’m excited about the park, and I think that the plan is beautiful, but I’m also fiscally conservative when it comes to the reserve accounts,” she said. “If that means taking it a little bit slower, then I’m in favor of that.”

Commissioner Richard Blake said he would like to see something happen with the property sooner rather than later, while Vice Mayor Cliff Merz said he sees no need to rush into the development phases of the project.

In the end the commission decided to move forward with the designing phase of the project, apply for any grants that may be available to the city, and meet with the Spa owners regarding opening the park to the public as is.

Related Content:

• Safety Harbor Waterfront Park

What are your thoughts on the waterfront park project, Harborites? Let us know in the comments below.