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County abandons plan to change Fort De Soto
Public criticism rolled in about the county's proposal to add new concessions at the 1,100-acre island park.
By WILL VAN SANT
Published February 21, 2006
CLEARWATER - After being swamped by more than a thousand calls and e-mails, Pinellas County commissioners today dropped a plan to expand concessions at Fort De Soto Park.
Public criticism rolled in after officials began negotiating with a company to add new concessions at the 1,100-acre island park, consistently considered one of the top beaches in the nation.
At various times, the county's proposals had included creating a 225-seat restaurant, a bait and tackle shop at the boat ramp, a trolley service, packaged beer sales and an ice cream and vending cart.
County officials had already dropped some of those ideas before today's County Commission meeting. They abandoned the rest after getting a wave of calls and e-mails overwhelmingly in opposition to the plan during the past week.
"To say the public has been engaged on this issue would be the understatement of the year," County Commission Chairman Ken Welch said.
In response to the outcry, assistant county administrator Jake Stowers brought the matter to commissioners today for direction, and County Administrator Steve Spratt suggested cutting the plan back.
Commissioners voted to kill the expansion plan and to support seeking bids from concessionaires who would want to run the park's existing services.
"I think we're moving in the right direction in being responsive to our citizens," Welch said.
[Last modified February 21, 2006, 18:07:42]
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