Construction on a new fishing pier is expected in the spring, with completion six months later.
By MICHAEL SANDLER
Published January 2, 2004
DUNEDIN - At Honeymoon Island State Park, people walk along the beach, take in some sun, swim or just let their dogs run.
In a few months, you can add fishing to the list.
Plans are in the works for a 400-foot fishing pier just south of the southernmost bath houses and north of the park's dog beach.
It's part of a $2.5-million beach renourishment project at the state park. Pinellas County has partnered with the state, paying more than $600,000 of the cost, said Nicole Elko, coastal coordinator for Pinellas County's Department of Environmental Management.
Florida is spending $30-million for beach renourishment statewide, a major investment in its tourism-driven economy.
Two other local beaches stand to benefit from this year's appropriation, with $4-million going to Upham Beach at St. Pete Beach and Sunset Beach at Treasure Island. Sand from waters off Pass-a-Grille will be hydraulically pumped to all three beaches.
Elko said officials expect to review bids from potential contractors for the fishing pier during the next few weeks. Construction is expected to commence in the spring. The pier, which will be about 70 feet wide, should be complete six months later.
"It should start after the bird nesting season, in March or April," Elko said. "Those structures take quite a while to build."
There will be no charge to use the pier. The state does charge a small entrance fee to the park itself.
And fishing might not be the only addition at Honeymoon Island. The county is trying to persuade the state to allow boat ramps there.
Incoming County Commission Chairwoman Susan Latvala cautioned that the talks are preliminary, but added the county has a couple of million dollars available to build four to six ramps, along with a parking area.
"We are hoping to work that out because there is a desperate need," Latvala said. "We are looking for sites. There just aren't many."
