Manatee County residents, boaters, fishing enthusiasts and environmental supports are in for a treat: A new proposal is in the works for improvements to Warner's Bayou.
Proposed improvements for
Warner's Bayou's boat ramp include an extended guardrail, a foot bridge leading to the beach area, two shallow swales for storm water treatment, a restroom on the north side of the ramp and a fish cleaning station.
Originally,
the project was expected to cost approximately $728,000 and included repaving of the parking lot, but has been scaled back to meet the community's request: The parking lot will remain shell with the exception of two paved/concrete handicap spaces.
A public workshop to discuss new plans was held on July 11th.
“I believe the new plan was very well-received,” says Nicholas Azzara,
Manatee County information outreach coordinator. “People seemed pleased to know that the county had scaled back the original plan -- appreciative that the county listened to their concerns.”
According to Azzara, costs for any improvements will be split evenly between the
West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) and
Florida Boater Improvement Program; no
Manatee County property tax dollars will be spent on the improvements.
“The end result will be an impressive and constructive collaboration among the county, Warner's Bayou residents, boaters and environmental interests,” says Azzara of the project, which is expected to have finalized plans by the
Manatee County Commission by late Fall 2012.
The county will host a similar open house workshop for proposed improvements to the
Fort Hamer boat ramp at
Fort Hamer Park on August 1st at 6:30 p.m. at
Williams Elementary School on Fort Hamer Road in
Parrish.
Several projects are currently in the works for Manatee County including the
county's first Green Street and a
new cafe at the Green Bridge Fishing Pier.
Writer:
Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Nicholas Azzara,
Manatee County
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