Council approves Bimini Basin study
While all eight sitting City Council members seem to support the Bimini Basin project taking the next step regarding a feasibility study being done, the process of choosing the University of South Florida to conduct the study came into question during Monday night’s meeting.
When all was said and a vote taken, council approved USF doing the study at a cost of $51,150 by a 5-3 margin.
USF School of Architecture & Community Design professor Taryn Sabia laid out the process of such a study and its timetable before council. Her presentation touched on major projects in other cities and the impact that is has on the community, such as San Antonio’s River Walk.
“San Antonio doesn’t even have that much water, just a little of it,” Sabia said. “Cape Coral has a large amount of water in this community and you should turn it into an asset. Think in terms of connectivity and how you are going to bring people to this destination, especially by boat. There is a lot of grant money out there that can be accessed.”
Sabia’s study will be assembled and tabulated by architect and design graduate students using data they collect as well as data and documents from previous studies of Bimini Basin and the downtown corridor.
When the issue of adequate infrastructure in the project area was raised, Sabia assured that would be taken into consideration during the study as well as the fact the area is located in a high coastal flood zone.
“From the study we move into the studio for design work and building models,” said Sabia. “We will put together two plans so you have an alternative. We will get collaboration from community leaders, businesses entities and citizens then take that and put it in a visual form.”
Residents, businesses and city leaders can give feedback to Sabia and her team during multiple meetings she calls charrettes once the feasibility study is complete.
She predicts to have the feasibility study finished by the end of the year. The charrettes are to begin by February in time for the design process to be finished by next April.
Sabia then will bring the study, design and models for another presentation to council upon completion.
“I will not be supporting this resolution because the process seems rushed,” said Councilmember Derrick Donnell. “I want to slow it down and get right with the process. Perhaps we could put it out there for others to bid on. I’m not here to shoot it (project) down. All of us up here are on board with that. We need a study done.”
Likewise, Councilmember Rana Erbrick questioned the outright choice of USF for the study.
“I like the idea of hiring a professional firm for this,” she said. “We need to take it to the next step, but I will not be supporting it the way it’s being done. There are some unique challenges with this project and we have the potential of losing Four Freedoms Park.
“I lived in a city of 17 million people, in Shanghai,” continued Erbrick. “From that experience I learned one thing, you don’t put everything in one place. You have to spread it out. I’m not quite on board, but yes we need to do a study. I would just prefer to see it go to a design firm.”
The third dissenting vote was cast by CounciLmember Rick Williams, who said, “I’ve been trying to get one cotton-picking streetlight put up and have been told there is no money. Now, all of a sudden, we have money for this study? Concessions will have to be made because it sits in a flood area, too.
“I love the idea of the university doing this study, not some big commercial outfit,” Williams added. “We need to make Cape Coral a destination and take advantage of the commercial growth. We have too much dependence on the residential tax base.”
Several residents voiced their concerns from spending money on a project in a flood zone to whether the proper infrastructure is in place or must be improved to handle what such a development generates.
Councilmember Jim Burch addressed those concerns, agreeing, “Yes, infrastructure or a lack of it is a valid point, but the city needs a vision for the future. The Bimini Basin is not just a project, but part of an entire vision. We cannot continue to do nothing. We must move forward.”
Councilmember John Carioscia said, “The city has an obligation to look at our residential tax burden. Doing this study to see if it is even practical is a no-brainer. Look at Cape Harbour and Tarpon Point. When those projects came forward people said they shouldn’t be done, but the city had the courage to try it.”
Mayor Marni Sawicki reported to the board that she had spoken with Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker and he told her that once the council approves the project the county can start looking for grant money to help boost the project.
Council’s next meeting in next Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.