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State aims to clear up park confusion
The pair who plan to build on Honeymoon Island have an exclusive contract.
By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published February 6, 2006
DUNEDIN - Bon Appetit restaurant owners Peter Kreuziger and Karl Riedl recently announced plans to build what they called a wedding pavilion on Honeymoon Island.
Turns out, the proposed facility's primary purpose is as a concession similar to the Cafe Honeymoon already on the island. However, the new one will have a covered deck that can be used for weddings and special events.
Kreuziger acknowledged that calling it a wedding pavilion was "perhaps a misnomer."
The announcement late last month sparked outrage in some residents, who thought it was a first step toward commercializing the island. Others embraced the news.
"Who's going to pay for this pavilion? How is it going to impact the beach? Are condos next?" asked Bobbie Rairigh, 71, of Palm Harbor.
But Nancy Cosmos of Dunedin said a covered pavilion would be a wonderful place to hold a wedding, family reunion or birthday party.
"It's a fabulous setting and would bring more visitors to the park, and that's more money for the park system," she said. "Besides, it's not like all of a sudden there will be a strip mall out there."
Officials said that the proposed pavilion is in the conceptual stage and that many details still need to be completed.
Weddings in the new facility could be held only after sunset, when the park closes, said Matt Mitchell, spokesman for Florida State Parks.
"The concept for this proposed facility is that it will be used for general purposes during park hours, which are 8 a.m. to sunset," Mitchell said. "It's for eating and relaxing and enjoying views of the park; it's passive recreation."
Another covered pavilion, called the Oasis, is planned; it also will be for public use but will offer no food service.
About 60 weddings a year take place on the island, many on the beach in front of Cafe Honeymoon, which is also operated by Kreuziger and Riedl. The two have an exclusive contract to run concessions on Honeymoon and Caladesi islands.
Mitchell said he received a few calls after the Jan. 22 Times story and welcomed the chance to clear up confusion about who runs and owns what.
The Times sought answers to these questions:
How does an entrepreneur receive permission to build a concession on state property?
The only people who can run businesses in Florida state parks are visitor service providers. "We have 86 visitor service providers within Florida state parks," Mitchell said. "They provide services to guests like kayak and tube rentals, transportation, interpretive tours, horseback riding and concessions." Kreuziger and Riedl have been providing concession services on Caladesi and Honeymoon islands for years, he said. "They are approved, insured and well-respected. We are pleased with the services they have provided in the past."
Are condominiums next?
"Absolutely not," Mitchell said.
How big will the facility be, and where will it be constructed?
The facility, as proposed, will be an approximately 1,500-square-foot addition to existing bathhouse No. 1 on the island's south side. It will be compatible in design and style and will feature a kitchen, a service area and a covered deck that will seat up to 150 people.
Who pays for the construction of the facility?
The restaurateurs have committed to spending $500,000 to build the facility, which becomes state property once it's built.
Does the state receive any money from the concessions?
Yes. The state receives a portion of all concession sales. "In fiscal 2004 to 2005, Florida Beach Services Inc. (Kreuziger and Riedl's visitor services company) provided the state parks with nearly $70,000 in income," he said.
There is already one cafe on Honeymoon Island. Why did the state want another one?
Many people congregate on the south end of the island, Mitchell said, and this will prevent them from having to get back in the car to get to a concession. Also, the number of visitors a year (about 900,000) justifies having two concessions.
What about a honeymoon bungalow?
There is nothing mentioned in the existing contract about a cabin. Any cabins would have to go through a separate approval process, Mitchell said.
In case of a hurricane, who pays for damage?
The state owns the property and insures it, Mitchell said.
[Last modified February 6, 2006, 01:09:14]
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