HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2004 1225 Main Street FI Sebastian, Florida 32958
Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570
City Council Information Letter
March 26, 2004
Acquisition of Florida East Coast Railroad Property
Historic Sebastian Train Station Location Partnership
A telephone conference was held earlier this week with Mr. Ronald Gabor,
President of Gabor Insurance Services of Miami, the individual and
company that was successful in negotiating a purchase agreement with the
Flagler Development Corporation to acquire the former Florida East Coast
Railroad parcel located on the southeast corner of Main Street and
Louisiana Avenue. I am pleased to report that Mr. Gabor informed me that
a final closing to finalize purchase of the property is anticipated to take place
within the next couple weeks. Although agreement negotiations were in
effect finalized a few months ago, the due diligence period initiated since
then was somewhat lengthy, necessitating resolution of various issues
accordingly. After successful ownership transfer has been completed via
the aforementioned closing execution, the Department of Growth
Management will facilitate a formal site planning submittal and review
process. Components of the respective site plan will feature dimensions for
a small office building to house an insurance services operation, parking
and landscape features, as well as for space to relocate the Old Sebastian
Historic Train Depot as successfully acquired by the City from the Florida
Inland Navigation District last autumn. Any necessary authorizations
required by City Council governing a formal partnership between Gabor and
the City of Sebastian regarding this project will be scheduled as soon as
possible, after respective Planning and Zoning Commission approvals have
been granted.
Pro.qress of Best Western Hotel Construction
As experienced during Wednesday evening's meeting via commentary from
Columbus Street resident Russ Owens, some concerns have recently been
City Council Information Letter
March 26, 2004
Page 2
raised relative to a perceived lack of progress involving the construction of
the Sebastian Best Western Hotel on United States Highway One,
particularly since the February 19th crushing incident at the site. As an
Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation revealed no
hazardous conditions and the resulting death having been ruled as an
unfortunate incident, representatives from Certified General Contractors Inc.
of Melbourne, the firm commissioned to implement the project, were granted
clearance to resume construction activities a few days later. Yesterday,
Building Official George Bonacci was informed that construction had been
static during the past two weeks due to the necessary implementation of
redesigned interlocking slab tongue and groove cambers. This exercise
involves interior architectural revisions that typically result in temporary
delays with construction. Fortunately, activity is anticipated to resume within
a week or so, immediately after the aforementioned revisions have been
approved by a professional structural engineer and accepted and filed by the
City of Sebastian Building Department.
Potential Options for Relocation - Old Snow Shoe House
Director of Growth Management Tracy Hass and I will host a meeting later
next week with representatives from K&H Plaza to discuss ideas for a
partnership to relocate the neighboring Old Snow Shoe House on United
States Highway One. As reported last week, new owner David Brown has
expressed an interest in working with the City of Sebastian to assist with
relocation activities as an alternative to demolishing the property to
accommodate space for new commercial development. As such, the goal
of next week's discussion will be to establish options for a new site for the
historic structure. We therefore hope to offer City Council an opportunity to
provide direction relative to a future home for the Old Snow Shoe House (no
pun intended) during an April regular meeting. I also anticipate providing
you with options for consideration beginning with next week's information
letter.
Sebastian Independence Day 2004 Celebration
As many of you may realize by now, this year's Independence Day
celebration in the City of Sebastian has been scheduled to take place
Saturday, July 3rd. Many communities throughout the country typically offer
this arrangement in an effort to afford individuals the opportunity for utilizing
Sunday as a day of rest and religious practice. As such, both staff and
City Council Information Letter
March 26, 2004
Page 3
representatives from the Sebastian Lion's Club have initiated necessary
planning and coordination activities associated with the event, including
such pertaining to the morning parade and evening fireworks show. Efforts
in this regard include this year's fundraising program as facilitated by the
Office of the City Manager and the Department of Finance, which has
yielded donations to date totaling $3,325.00 to help defray costs associated
with hosting the fireworks show. The attached park layout plan offers a
preliminary sense of booth, food service and performance stage locations in
Riverview Park. In the coming weeks, my office will provide more specific
information about the event, including additional activities, timeframes and
instructions for City Council participation.
Enclosure(s}:
List to Date - Independence Day 2004 Contributions
Riverview Park Layout - Independence Day 2004
My Documents/InfoLetter210
Date Received Amount
12/9/2003 500.00
3/11/2004 100.00
3/11/2004 100.00
3/12/2004 50.00
3/1512004 100.00
3116/2004 500.00
3/18/2004 100.00
3/18/2004 25.00
3/22/2004 1,000.00
3/22/2004 200.00
3/23/2004 50.00
3/23/2004 200.00
3/23/2004 250.00
3/25/2004 100.00
3/25/2004 50.0C
Name
Hinzman Construction Co., Inc. (No Logo)
Richard WaFter
Kleen-Kut Lawn Service Div. of Kleen-Korp. Secv ces. Inc.
Sebastian Offshore Marine, Inc.
Sweet Memories, Inc.
Arnold Air Conditioning,/nc.
Dill & Evans, P.L.
Florida Woodworks of Vero Beach, Inc.
Sebastian River Medical Center
The Beach Shop, Inc.
Supertwist Tool
Henry Fischer & Sons, Inc.
Fred's Auto Body of Sebastian, Inc.
Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum
Perez & Associates, Inc.
(No Logo)
(logo on file with P.J.)
iSame
i New
50.00
Same
New
Same
Same
New
500.0C
i New
New
Sa F~e
100.00
Same
25.00
['ota $3.325.00
29 2~' 27 26 25
£~ g~ 6~ 09