Guest commentary: Sanibel looking better every day
The island is looking better every day, and your Sanibel City Council recently approved a landscaping project for Causeway Boulevard that will allow us to greet arrivals with even more natural beauty. The project will include 50 large canopy trees, along with numerous smaller trees and shrubs. The cost will be funded largely by city funds, supplemented by a U.S. Forest Service grant and contributions from the Roots in Resilience Fund.
As you know, last year the city resurfaced about six miles of the Shared Use Path. We are now beginning the process of phase two, which will include most of the remaining paths. The project will involve not only repairs and new pavement but also, where possible, path widening. Our goal is to have the work completed by the end of the year. Funding will come from state appropriations supported by our local legislators, and we are grateful for their efforts on our behalf.
The city’s efforts to achieve greater resilience continue in many forms. We recently amended our ordinances to allow homeowners who elevate their homes to maintain at least 10 feet of ground-level height, even if that elevation would otherwise violate normal building height limits or angle-of-light requirements.
Our sewer system includes more than 150 lift stations that we need to elevate and harden. This will be a major project requiring significant funding and considerable time. We are beginning this summer with the 10 highest-priority stations, with more to follow.
The city is also working to improve stormwater management in several ways, including increasing the effectiveness of our two weir structures, clearing the Sanibel Slough/River, and dredging its east basin to create additional stormwater retention capacity. These projects will all be underway very soon.
Our plans to restore and rebuild our fishing pier are progressing. While the necessary permitting and engineering are being completed for the new pier, funded by a grant from the Lee County Tourist Development Council, we will also be making temporary repairs to the old pier. The plan is to have the old pier available for use by the end of the year and remain open until the new pier is ready in 2028.
The city is again co-sponsoring the Love Sanibel Back campaign, led by Sue Van Oss of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. It is a wonderful effort to support our island businesses during the slower summer months and a reminder of the strength of our community. You can read the full lineup of weekly themes and events at linktr.ee/lovesanibelback. I hope to see you there.
Lastly, hurricane season is here! Maybe a “super El Niño” will protect us. In any event, we all need to be prepared. Plan ahead, have the necessary supplies, stay informed, and please, please evacuate our barrier island if we are advised to do so.
Mike Miller is mayor of the city of Sanibel. For more information, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/.