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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 County Support for Waterfront Plans Indian River County Commission supports Sebastian's waterfront plans : TCPalm.com Page l of 2 TCPALML _ FLORIDA'S TREASURE COAST AND PALM BEACHES READ MORE AT WVVW'.TCPALM.COM Indian River County Commission supports Sebastian's waterfront plans By Henry A. Stephens Saturday. November 22. 2008 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY—Sebastian city leaders Friday won the County Commission's support, but not money, in the effort to buy two business properties on Indian River Drive and make them into a museum/marketplace of the city's fishing- village past. In fact, if commissioners had $500,000 to$800,000 to spend on waterfront business in a tight budget, most agreed, they would rather spend it restoring the county's 77-year- old Archie Smith Fish House. "My feeling is...I'd spend it to get something going there, because we already own it," Commissioner Peter O'Bryan said. The commission in 2006 used $1.5 million in county environmental bonds to buy the 1.15-acre Smith property at 1740 Indian River Drive in hopes of using it as a hub of a "working waterfront" historical attraction. That hasn't materialized yet. County Environmental Planning Chief Roland DeBlois in September had hopes of getting a grant from the state's Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront Grant Program to help restore the Smith house, but said Friday he has to hunt for money elsewhere. The state grants help only in buying property, he said, not restoring it. In a 5-0 vote, the commission approved a resolution supporting the city of Sebastian and the nonprofit group Fisherman's Landing Sebastian Inc., which are seeking $3.5 million and $2 million, respectively,from the Mayfield program. County Tax Collector Charles Sembler,whose family is rooted in Sebastian waterfront business, formed the nonprofit group to buy a dilapidated marina on Indian River Drive and restore it for active commercial fishing. Sebastian City Manager Al Minner said the city, meanwhile, wants to buy the Sebastian Entertainment Center and former Hurricane Harbor for a museum to showcase the area's commercial fishing history. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/nov/22/county-supports-sebastians-waterfront-p1a... 11/25/2008 Indian River County Commission supports Sebastian's waterfront plans : TCPalm.com. Page 2 of 2 He originally sought a $500,000 grant from the county to help, but agreed to just a show of support for the state grant when commissioners one by one had a problem justifying the expense. snot ©2008 Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/nov/22/county-supports-sebastians-waterfront-pla... 11/25/2008