Mermaids getting a new boss: the state

Starting Nov. 1, Florida will have control of the park in Weeki Wachee.

By CHANDRA BROADWATER, Times Staff Writer
Published January 26, 2008

Weeki Wachee Springs and its fabled mermaids will become part of the Florida state parks system. The mermaids and their underwater ballet shows have been at the Springs since 1947. View the slide show
	[Danny Ghitis | Times (2007)]

WEEKI WACHEE -- It's official. The famous Weeki Wachee mermaid tails will soon belong to the state.

After months of talks, and four years of legal battles, the owners of the 60-year-old Hernando County attraction have donated the mermaids to the state, eventually making them part of the Florida parks system.

The agreement came late Thursday, after a marathon meeting between Weeki Wachee and state officials at the state Department of Environmental Protection offices in Tallahassee. The Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as Swiftmud, is expected to approve the deal.

The definitive agreement is also expected to resolve Weeki Wachee's four-year-old lawsuit with Swiftmud, its landlord.

Robyn Anderson, Weeki Wachee mayor, general manager and former mermaid, said she was thrilled with the decision. The past four years have been grueling, she said. "I feel extremely comfortable putting this Florida gem in the hands of DEP," Anderson said.

Come Nov. 1, the mermaid park will transfer to state control. Until then, the attraction will work on making changes to ensure the switch goes as smoothly as possible, said Weeki Wachee spokesman John Athanason. He said the state will retain the current employees. Over the summer a parks manager will also be at the attraction observing how it operates.

DEP spokeswoman Sarah Williams said the agency is pleased about the agreement. She declined to give further details, such as what could happen to the city of Weeki Wachee, stating that all three parties are still involved in court-ordered mediation.

Last month, Anderson signed a tentative agreement with DEP to donate the attraction to the state. That document cites DEP plans to tear down a controversial slide and talked of tinkering with the boat ride on the very shallow Weeki Wachee River.

Supporters have said Weeki Wachee Springs will be a boon for the state parks system. At a depth of 403 feet, it's considered the deepest spring in the United States. The mermaids and their underwater ballet shows will also be a unique and famous addition. Since 1947, mermaids have performed their water ballet at depths of about 6 feet in bikini tops and fishtail costumes while breathing from air hoses.

After years of neglect, debt and legal orders, the tourist attraction just recently started making money, Athanason said. The attraction, which the city acquired from a private investor group in 2003, finished a $1-million renovation project forced by Swiftmud for safety.

In 2001, Swiftmud bought the land beneath the 27-acre attraction. The tiny city of Weeki Wachee owns the company that leases the land from the state and owns and operates the park. The controversial relationship has annoyed state officials, as most of the city's residents are park employees who live on the property, run the city and can tax a few neighboring businesses.

Chandra Broadwater can be reached at cbroadwater@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1432.

[Last modified January 26, 2008, 00:11:30]