CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON TUESDAY AGREED TO PURCHASE THE FOURTEEN ACRES OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE PLACIDA BOAT RAMP FOR THREE MILLION DOLLARS THAT WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL BOAT LAUNCH AND OVER TWO HUNDRED PAID PARKING SPACES IN AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED. THE PURCHASE IS BEING MADE FROM FIFTH THIRD BANK, WHO TOOK THE LAND BACK FROM THE FORMER OWNER AFTER HE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON PREVIOUS LOANS. THE LAND WILL BE PAID FOR WITH CAPITAL PROJECT FUND RESERVES ALONG WITH A DEDICATED TAX FOR PURCHASES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS. OFFICIALS SAID THE THREE MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MAY COME OF PARKS AND RECREATION IMPACT FEES OR A FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST GRANT. ALSO ON TUESDAY, COMMISSIONERS REJECTED A REQUEST BY COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 87 TO INSTALL A 1500 SQUARE-FOOT MODULAR BUILDING AT BAY HEIGHTS PARK IN ENGLEWOOD FOR A BASE FOR BOATING SAFETY CLASSES, WATER PATROLS, AND VESSEL INSPECTIONS. COMMISSIONERS CITED CONCERNS ABOUT SPACE LIMITATIONS THERE. THE PARK WAS PURCHASED FOR OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE PLANNED CONSTRUCTION OF A BOAT RAMP IN 2012.
