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Sebastian's Working Waterfront project needs
some holes patched
By Ed Bierschenk
Saturday, November 14. 2009
SEBASTIAN —Alleged environmental permit violations at the two properties the city is
hoping to use for its Working Waterfront development project has City Manager Al
Minner concerned.
Minner could not say, however, how much of an impact the possible violations—
including such issues as docking and mooring stations built without proper permits—
would have on the city's plans for these properties.
Last month the city announced it would be acquiring the site of the former Hurricane
Harbor restaurant through the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront Grant program
administered by the Florida Communities Trust.
Minner has said the site could be used as a base for eco-tours and water
transportation to the Sebastian Inlet. Other uses could include some type of community
center with educational and culinary features focusing on the fishing industry; a
marketplace, some type of museum; or an ice depot, which would provide ice for
fishermen operating nearby.
Originally, city officials estimated the property could cost $2.5 million.
But the actual amount the state offered is not being revealed until the sale is closed,
which state officials said may not take place until after the first of the year.
The city will be responsible for 10 percent of the money and plans to fund it with
Community Redevelopment Area money, which can not be used for the general
operations of the city.
City officials also were hoping to acquire the former Sebastian Entertainment Center,
located north of the former Hurricane Harbor site, but state officials could not come to
an agreement with the owners on the price.
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Sebastian's Working Waterfront project needs some holes patched : tcpalm.com Page 2 of 3
Instead, the City Council last month voted to modify its original grant request to
purchase property to the south that contains a commercial dock and fish house.
The estimated cost for this property is $1.5 million, as opposed to $1 million for the
Sebastian Entertainment Center and could require the city to contribute up to $600,000
in CRA funds as opposed to the $100,000 it was going to contribute toward the
purchase of the Sebastian Entertainment site.
Minner has said the city would probably look at leasing the dock and fish house at that
site to Fisherman's Landing Sebastian Inc. to manage the fishing operation. The group
consists of commercial fisherman, including former Indian River County Tax Collector
Charles Sembler, who had earlier looked to acquire the property on its own through the
state grant program.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, however, said that both sites are
in possible violation of state law.
State DEP officials have been in contact with owners to try to correct the situations, but
Minner said the alleged violations are a concern and he doesn't know if they could end
up costing the city additional money.
If some things need to be brought into compliance at the southern site, Minner said the
city's lease with Fisherman's Landing Sebastian would probably hold that group
responsible for fixing it.
According to DEP spokesman Jeff Prather, the former Hurricane Harbor site contains a
16-slip docking facility that was not authorized by the state and needs to be removed.
The docking facility apparently replaced a fishing pier at the site.
According to the state DEP officials, the property to the south contains a clam nursery
and clam raceway that was created without state permission and a "long-lapsed"
Sovereign Submerged Lands Lease. DEP officials also say that pilings, moorings and
finger piers were added without proper permits.
Prather said such violations can result in penalties and the state had at one point
spoke about preparing an administrative lawsuit to bring the facility into compliance.
Prather, however, indicated progress is now being made to remedy the situations at
both facilities.
"We are pretty confident that we will get both of these facilities back into compliance,"
said Prather Friday.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/nov/14/working-waterfront-proj ect-needs-some-h... 11/1 6/2009