Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt has been pushing the idea of purchasing the property The Strandview condo building now sits. Why? Because Newton Park is right next door and owning this property would double the size of the park.
Remove It Pros will soon be knocking the building down. We’ve been told the property, after the 7-story 24-unit building at 4560 Estero Blvd is down, could be listed for as much as $11 million. The building was too badly damaged to repair. The beachfront property is just under 1 acre.
In June of 2023 a company called The Trust For Public Land made a presentation to the Town Council. The company is a 501c3 that finds funding for municipalities to purchase land which must be used as a “park, trail or some other public use” until the end of time. The Trust For Public Lands gets the money from FEMA, the State of Florida and grants.
The structure at Newton Park was completely wiped out by Hurricane Ian nearly 2 years ago. The town may have air-conditioned trailer bathrooms on the property in the next 30 days. Staff is still working on what the future of Newton will include. It’s one of the many projects the town has on its to-do list from the storm.
Town Manager Andy Hyatt told the Town Council the town would need to front the money for any land purchase then The Trust For Public Land would reimburse the town. He said The Strandview property is “a perfect fit for this type of program.”
The Trust For Public Land website states they “create parks and protect public land where they’re needed most so that everyone will have access to the benefits and joys of the outdoors for generations to come.” In Florida Trust For Public Land has preserved over 173,188 acres of open land and completed more than 467 projects.
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The town should consider purchasing the Wyndham. The south end of the island very few Public beach access points compared to mid and north end. This was a very common access point for many visitors. I would advocate the town consider this
I suggest the purchase of the Wyndham Property as an alternative.
Will provide public Beach access and larger area for park development and off street parking.
The south end of FMB needs a public park and beach access.
I don’t get it. The town doesn’t have enough $$’s to build back the pool and keep Bay Oaks running, but enough to buy a property and make it into a new park? This Council has the craziest priorities, you would think they didn’t live here.
I like this idea. Newton Park was well used prior to Ian. Additional open space on the beach would be a great addition to the park.
Better use of millions of dollars than the new city hall. The more public space we have on the beach the better. It will spread out the crowds . Newton Beach is a great place for families. I say buy it.
Kind of sad that people that pwn those beach front condos will not even get a half $1 million for their property each.
I’d think they’d get insurance money for the loss of their unit plus this money for the sale of the land.
Any land the town can obtain for public use seems like a win for the future.
Might be wise to not use Naccarato’s fine$ for front money just yet.