Repairs at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse will take some time, according to BIPS
There’s a lot of work to be done at the south end of the island, specifically at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, the Amory Chapel and even on Cayo Costa. As many of our readers are probably well aware, trying to set things right after a storm of the magnitude of Hurricane Ian is a game of “Hurry-Up-and-Wait,” which can be tedious and frustrating. It is no different for our historic landmarks at the south end that we love so well.
According to Sharon McKenzie, the executive director of the Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS), the laundry list of repairs that need to be done is long. Knowing it is important to keep residents of the island abreast of what’s going on, she gave us a peek into what they are going through right now. They cannot lobby, only inform when it comes to these matters.
McKenzie said that “the Department of Environmental Protection has hired a general contractor with Wright Construction to take the lead on repairs to all four of the state parks, including historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Amory Memorial Chapel.
“To date, they have not given an ETA for repairs to our historic structures, which are the only two historic public structures on Boca Grande still not repaired from Hurricane Ian … which hit almost nine months ago.” She continued: “BIPS did receive funds from the Boca Grande Disaster Emergency Fund to repair the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, which is not located inside a Gasparilla Island state park. Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, a.k.a. the Range Light, underwent an extensive engineering study and was immediately repaired once repair determinations were made and funds were received. It reopened to the public in April and is still open twice a week until June 17. The tower becomes too hot to climb in mid summer.”
McKenzie went on to say that to date, the parks have had strike teams come in and clear debris. That was immediately after the storm. They put new roofs on the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, the sssistant keeper’s quarters, the park manager’s home, the bathroom nearest the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and the Chapel.
“The quotes for repairs to the historic structures were submitted months ago to FEMA and the State of Florida for approval,” she explained. “BIPS has a great relationship with our local parks and their leaders. Approval for hurricane repairs to be made is completely out of their hands. It is a costly project, and we have been told that both the State of Florida and FEMA have to approve the repairs. With Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum being closed for the last nine months, it meant about 30,000 normal visitors could not visit the museum, and that did have an impact on our local economy.”
The hurricane damage to Historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum and repairs that are needed are:
• All cupola windows, frames and shutters need to be replaced.
• All the original interior floors need to be sanded and refinished with an oil-based preservative.
• The northeast railing and post need to be repaired or replaced.
• The interior attic ceiling needs to be repaired and painted.
• A/C unit needs to be replaced.
• The entire Lighthouse, from top to bottom, needs to be lightly sanded and painted.
• The brand new elevator lift needs to be repaired, sanded and painted.
• The cisterns need to be moved and repaired.
As far as the assistant keeper’s quarters, located next to the Lighthouse, is concerned, it primarily needs its interior walls restored and painted and its cupola repaired.
The damage from the hurricane and the repairs needed at Historic Amory Memorial Chapel include:
• Interior ceiling insulation needs to be removed.
• Insulation and ceiling need to be replaced.
• Interior mold needs to be mitigated.
• New A/C unit needs to be replaced.
• The steeple, cross and bell need to be repaired.
• West window needs to be repaired or replaced.
• West exterior light needs to be repaired or replaced.
• Some office furniture needs to be replaced.
“The Chapel also needs to be raised a few feet to prevent flooding, which is being looked at by the parks and BIPS,” McKenzie said. “We are hopeful to come up with a solution that will raise the historic structure, but limit the height with a Special Certificate of Appropriateness that the local historic board will hopefully approve. BIPS has had preliminary discussions with Lee County, and they seem very willing to help come up with a solution that works for everyone.”
Other than the historic structures, the four parks also need multiple repairs. McKenzie said the list is too long to mention every detail, but currently, Cayo Costa State Park needs a new dock and restroom repairs. The BIPS camp store/gift shop at Cayo Costa and all the park sheds need to be replaced, as well as water lines and electrical lines destroyed during the storm. Currently the park is waiting on a floating dock that will hopefully allow the ferries to land again. Right now, the island remains closed to visitors.
Don Pedro Island is closed, in need of restroom repairs and a new dock/kayak launch. Gasparilla Island State Park still needs restroom repairs at Range Light Park and shop buildings that need to be replaced. Some repairs still need to be made to the park manager’s home, too.
“BIPS wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the Boca Grande Disaster Fund to help make repairs to our historic structures like Gasparilla Island Lighthouse and our local businesses,” McKenzie said. “Our community is healing and coming back from an ugly and traumatic storm event, but we are doing it together because we are Boca Grande strong!”
For more information about BIPS, visit BIPS.org.
