Demolition of the former Island Silver and Spice building in Islamorada is clearing the way for parking, at least for the short term.
During a Jan. 27 meeting inside Founders Park, Islamorada Village Council approved the selection of J. A. LoRocco Enterprises for the tear down of the abandoned building at a cost of $53,400. Services also include the removal of debris from the site, as well as placing and compacting fill within the footprint of the old building.
The village closed on the property owned by Walgreen Co. on Dec. 17. The property purchase, which the dais approved at an October meeting, totaled $2.75 million.
Discussion over the property goes back to last April when the village council directed staff to examine the Walgreen property. With ideas for parking to address heavy congestion through the heart of the village also came possibilities for affordable housing. Village officials have stressed that property won’t be utilized for a gas station and convenience store.
No decision has been made on the property’s intended use, as village officials will solicit the public for ideas before moving ahead. Officials are seeking to create a parking site temporarily. Together, demolition and converting the site to parking are estimated around $100,000.
Costs to purchase the property, demolish the building and prepare the property for interim use as a parking area would be accounted for within the capital project fund and would be funded with local government discretionary sales surtax. As of September 2021, the estimated amount of fund balance in the Capital Project Fund resulting from accumulated Surtax revenue is $4 million.
Mayor Pete Bacheler said they’re not tearing down the building for the sole purpose of creating a massive parking lot.
“No, we’re not doing that,” he said. “We’re just tearing the building down because it needs to come down. We’re clearing up the grounds so it’s safe for people to be there.”
In response to Bacheler’s comments, Councilman Dave Webb said the idea of a parking lot isn’t off the table. Public Works Director A.J. Engelmeyer told council members that they’ll need to consider whether it’ll be a 24/7 parking area or a no parking overnight.
“There has to be some enforcement on that,” Engelmeyer said.
Councilman Mark Gregg asked if the area will be fenced. Engelmeyer said it won’t be fenced.
“I guess we have another item on the next agenda,” Gregg said.
Village council members approved a resolution approving an agreement that sends $50,000 in tax funds to I.CARE for ongoing, local coral restoration. Funds are coming out of the village council public relations/advertising budget, which was approved within the 2021-22 budget.
A nonprofit organization founded by Kylie Smith and Michael Goldberg, I.CARE brings local business, residents and visitors in for restoration and maintenance of coral reef communities in Islamorada. The group partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory to create the first community-based approach to reef restoration in the Keys, as community members have the opportunity to plant corals.
Before approval, several council members said they’d like to see the money go to Mote Marine Laboratory for disbursement to organizations like I.CARE.
“I feel that Mote is the keeper of the gate, so to speak, with this project,” said Councilman Henry Rosenthal. “If they feel this organization deserves additional funding to further their cause, then I’ll be glad to go along with it.”
Acting Village Manager Maria Bassett suggested village officials request and obtain a letter from Mote Marine Laboratory expressing support for I.CARE before remitting the funds. Council members were in favor of the idea.
The dais also approved a resolution authorizing work on one of two canals located on north Plantation Key needing backfilling. Work is part of a canal restoration work plan found within the state’s land planning regulations for the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern designation.
In 2014, Islamorada and Monroe County initiated a canal restoration demonstration program to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing select canal restoration technologies for improving water quality. Backfilling was among the technologies recommended for Keys canals.
The village continues to work with Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions Inc. on canal projects. With approval, roughly $64,000 will be expended for engineering, environmental permitting and support services.
