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JENNIFER FARRELLUnder an agreement, Island Way Grill will pay for the facility, then donate it to the city.
CLEARWATER - Three years after a similar plan sank in the wake of sharp neighborhood opposition, the city is preparing to install a nine-slip public dock in a lagoon off the Clearwater Memorial Causeway.
The dock, which will allow visitors to Island Estates to come by boat and moor temporarily, is planned on 2.1 acres of submerged city-owned land near the Island Way Grill. In an unusual arrangement, the restaurant has agreed to pay for the design and construction of the 68-foot dock.
The restaurant will donate the dock to the city and grant access along its seawall for a 4-foot city sidewalk. It will pay nothing for using the city lagoon.
"To me, it seems like a win-win for everybody," said Community Development Board member David Gildersleeve.
Last week, the board approved the measure unanimously, but not without some questions.
Board member Edward Mazur Jr. wondered why the city would agree to maintain the dock since it will be used primarily by Island Way Grill customers.
"Why would the city pay for insurance?" Mazur asked.
City Harbormaster Bill Morris said the city, which is self-insured, won't have to pay extra for the dock. Besides, he said, people will also be able to use the slips to moor their boats and run next door to Publix.
In early 2000, the city floated a similar deal with a planned Caribbean restaurant called Shooters, but that partnership sparked a strong backlash from neighbors. This time, city officials said, there has been virtually no opposition.
At last week's Community Development Board meeting, only one person spoke against the dock, citing concerns about increased traffic.
- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com