A total of $4.4 million in TDC funding was awarded for Beach and Shoreline projects to local communities by the Lee County Board of Commissioners on Monday. Fort Myers Beach received $1.54 million of the $4.4 million.
Commissioners approved the funding with the adoption of the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget and the agreements authorize the work and reimbursement of expenses.
The projects primarily allow for maintenance of beach park facilities including public accesses, boardwalks, restrooms and equipment.
Beach and Shoreline project funding accounts for 26.4% of the proceeds from the Tourist Development Tax assessed on short-term lodging such as hotels, resorts and vacation rentals.
The agreements are part of more than $11.1 million in projects using Tourist Development Taxes, including a $4 million allocation to the Beach Renourishment Trust Fund for scheduled projects.
Here are the specific projects the beach will use the money for:
$1.2 million for beach and shoreline maintenance.
$10,100 to replace the restroom trailer at the Palm Avenue beach access
$4,463 to replace the Newton park shade structure
$323,761 for public beach access boardwalk replacements.
The town of Fort Myers Beach will use the $323,761 to replace eight boardwalks and install three new ADA boardwalks at beach accesses along the island.
Here are the specifics, from the town, about the beach accesses:
All eight of these boardwalks were destroyed during hurricane Ian. The eight boardwalks are located at Public Beach Accesses, 14, 15, 17, 24, 25, 26 & 27 and Newton Beach Park. The three replacement boardwalks are located at Public Beach Access #24 (Pompano Street), #26 (Chapel Street) and #27 (Mango Street).
They need to realign the beach accesses to match available parking for tourists and stops on the trolley.
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