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Group opposes plan for boat slips on bayfront

Save the Bayfront is asking Clearwater place boat slips only south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge.

By DEMORRIS A. LEE
Published August 3, 2006

CLEARWATER - The Save the Bayfront organization that two years ago torpedoed the city's efforts to put boat slips along the downtown waterfront is opposing a new plan advanced by city hall and asking it be scaled down.

In a meeting with Mayor Frank Hibbard last week, one of the organization's leaders, Fred Thomas, asked the city to revamp the plan so boat slips would be put only south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge.

Voters would have to approve such a project, according to the city's charter. The city council is scheduled to decide tonight the language of a referendum issue that would go to voters in November's general election.

Save the Bayfront also wants the city to add a second question, one calling for a smaller dock plan.

Thomas declined to speak to the St. Petersburg Times for this article, but Anne Garris, chairman of Save the Bayfront, said the city's plan would, among other things, destroy the view.

"We don't see why we need to get the people of Clearwater to give up a open water view just because the property owners in downtown Clearwater think it will help them," Garris said. "This belongs to everyone. We want to be in favor of boat slips. But we are in favor of them south of the new bridge."

The current city plan would put 129 boat slips on the city's bayfront, both north and south of the bridge. The $10.9-million project would be completed in 2009.

Hibbard told fellow council members at Monday work session that he had met with Thomas and that he had asked city staff to look into Thomas' recommendations.

"I believe in communicating with all groups and Save the Bayfront is a group that has been out there and opposed slips in the past," Hibbard said. "I was attempting to communicate the best I could and get some input. I brought their proposal back to staff."

Hibbard said that if voters approve slips - regardless of the number - certain things are a must at the bayfront. There must be a dock master's office, rest rooms accessible by the disabled, underground utilities and potable water.

"I think any businessman understands when you have fewer assets, which are slips, to spread fix cost over, your unit cost rises and that's the problem, hence the rub," Hibbard said.

Putting slips only south of the bridge would eliminate 44 slips from the project, Hibbard said. Also nixed would be a pier area that protects sea grass and possibly a public promenade.

Garris said in a press release that Save the Bayfront supports slips on causeway land west of the Intracoastal Waterway. That's because it would be more accessible for boaters, has room for restaurants, rest rooms, bath houses and other amenities needed by boaters.

"We suggested to the mayor that we give the people in Clearwater finally a real choice and an opportunity for voting for boats slips covering all our parkland water front or boat slips leaving open space," Garris said.

Save the Bayfront's requests for two ballot questions could be problematic, said the city's attorney, because technically both questions could be passed by voters -- slips east and west of the Intracoastal.

The council's likely focus tonight will be deciding on language for just one question. Starting place in that discussion will be the original idea for 129 boat slips.

In 2004, Save the Bayfront launched a campaign that helped defeat a proposal for a boat-active bayfront. Council member Hoyt Hamilton said the city has tried to take away the group's opposition this time.

"We've been very careful to take all that away," Hamilton said. "The only thing they are hanging their hats on right now is 'it blocks the view.' I don't think that's going to be a reason. A lot of folks like to look at boats. ... If that's all they've got to hang their hats on then I think we are in pretty good shape."

Council member John Doran said that people have the right to oppose boat slips, even though he thinks slips are a good a idea. He said city officials must now show residents why having boat slips would be beneficial to the overall betterment of the city.

"There are people who seriously believe that having boat slips blocks their view of the water," Doran said. "I just don't agree. I think it adds to the whole thing. The water is still there. You just have boats to look at in addition to water."

Demorris A. Lee can be reached at 727 445-4174 or dalee@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 2, 2006, 22:31:40]