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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1913 |
| Fort. DeSoto Park Fort Restoration |
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| Requester: |
Elithia Stanfield |
Organization: |
Culture, Education & Leisure, Pinellas Coun ty Board of County Commissioners |
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| Project Title: |
Fort. DeSoto Park Fort Restoration |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 9:49:20 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Jones |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The forts is of historic significane, having been built in 1898. It contains batteries that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fort is the site of numerous photo shoots, videos and filmed movies along with special events such as Civil War Re-enactments. All of these have a substantial positive economic impact on Pinellas County and the state of Florida as they draw the film industry into the state and concurrently provide economic value and tourist dollars. The fort is located next to the designated 2005 #l beach in the nation. This national recognition also brings in tourist dollars and is an attraction to national and international visitors. The value of the publicity associated with having the number one beach in the nation adjacent to the fort is incalculable and promotion of this designation has attracted increased special event activity and eco-tourism. The fort is a destination. Its deterioration is a loss of not only a national treasure but a significant part of state history. |
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| Recipient: |
Parks & Recreation Department |
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Contact: |
Debbie Chayet |
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611 Chestnut Street |
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Contact Phone: |
(727) 582-2521 |
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Clearwater 33756 |
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Contact email: |
dchayet@pinellascounty.org |
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| Counties: |
Pinellas |
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| Gov't Entity: |
Yes |
Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
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| Project Description: |
| Major restorative reapirs will be done to the fort to eliminate current degradation of the historic structure located at Ft. DeSoto Park in Pinelals County. The currently collapsed drainage and ventilation systems allow the fort walls to seep water and remain wet from condensation. The project will replace the overhead drainage and ventilation systems to their original condition. Education displays and signage will then be added after the fort's restoration. Park attendance exceeds 3.1 million visitors a year; and the project would permit safe public access to the fort. A consultant is currently assessing the site. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Restoration of the fort, a national historic treasure, with batteries listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1977). Continuation of positive economic impact related to fort use such as movie filimg, special events and tourist vistiion, etc.
Provide safe public access to the Fort DeSoto. Park attendance exceeded 2.9 milions visitors last year.
Positive publicity. Ft. DeSoto was named the number one beach in the country in 2005.
New educational displays for public use. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$500,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$3,635,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local |
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Cash Amount |
$75,000 |
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In-kind Amount |
$125,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2007-2008 |
Amount: |
$500,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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Yes |
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Agency |
Environmental Protection, Department Of |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Pinellas County Capitol Improvement Project #623 |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
