‘Temporary Fix’ Planned to Reopen Fishing Pier in March
This portion of fishing pier built on concrete sleepers laid on the sand was effectively destroyed in the hurricane. The deeper water area secured to pilings was not damaged. (Wave photo)
Cape Charles Wave
January 15, 2013
The Cape Charles fishing pier, partly destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, should be repaired in time to reopen by late March, according to Town officials.
Ultimately, the fishing pier will be rebuilt by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
Town Planner Tom Bonadeo told Town Council last Thursday that rebuilding the pier will cost between $200,000 and $300,000, and will not happen for a “year or two.”
In the meantime the Town is working on “a temporary fix” to allow the pier to reopen as soon as possible.
Town Manager Heather Arcos said the Town is working with an engineer with the goal of reopening the pier by the end of March.
But the permanent fix will be up to FEMA. That will entail replacing the section going out to the jetty which was built on concrete sleepers rather than pilings. The portion of the pier in deeper water is already built on pilings and was not damaged.
“FEMA is going to be dumping a lot of money in it to fix it and fix it right this time,” Public Works Director Dave Fauber told Council.
In addition to damage to the pier, the Town estimates that $5,400 worth of beach sand was lost.
Town Basketball Court and Children’s Playground
In other Town Council business, Town Manager Arcos said that town staff are exploring options for replacing the basketball court in the park. One idea is to locate the court on Town-owned property beside the skateboard park. [Read more…]
Town Toilets Closed for the Season? Well, Not All!
January 15, 2013
Town’s public toilet at the fishing pier, built by volunteers, is closed for the season.
Town’s newest public toilet, constructed at the Harbor last year at a cost of $350,000, is closed for the season.
The porta-potty at Central Park remains open for business, but not for long. Town Planner Tom Bonadeo reported last week that the Town has requested the vendor to remove the porta-potty immediately. A permanent toilet is planned, but it too will be closed during the winter season. (Wave photos)
Park Bathroom Appeal Denied by Town Council
Wooden stakes are footprint of proposed Central Park bathroom. The tops of the stakes indicate floor level required to prevent flooding from the adjoining drainage pond. (Wave photo)
Cape Charles Wave
January 14, 2013
After preliminary construction began last month on a bathroom in Central Park designed to resemble a nearby sewer pump station, resident Don Riley appealed to Town Council, which stopped construction pending a hearing.
Riley was appealing the approval of the Historic District Review Board. He noted that new construction in the Historic District is required to “relate to the design character of the historic buildings in the area.”
“There are many examples of nearby historic buildings, but the pumping station is not one of them,” Riley wrote in his appeal. He also circulated a petition among local residents.
Riley addressed Town Council at last Thursday’s meeting. He said that the site is wrong, the building is too large, and flooding will be a problem. No engineering study exists on whether the building would work at that site, he noted.
Only two council members agreed with Riley.
Steve Bennett said, “I disagree with the Historic District Review Board approving that building in its present form, not in its present location.” He said that he was not happy with the size of the building, and felt that it was “pretty ugly.” Something that looks more like the pergola would be appropriate, he suggested. He further argued that a redesign might not drive up cost if the building were made smaller.
Frank Wendell also voted against the bathroom, based on its proximity to a deep drainage pond.
Joan Natali spoke in favor of the bathroom because it was better than the existing porta-potty. Chris Bannon, Tom Godwin, and Mike Sullivan also voted to deny the appeal.
Riley said his next step will be to appeal to the circuit court. [Read more…]
LETTER: Town Courts Should Have Multiple Uses
January 14, 2013
DEAR EDITOR,
QUESTION: How many young people use the tennis courts?
ANSWER: Almost none.
QUESTION: How many young people used the basketball court?
ANSWER: About 15 each day, including Cape Charles Christian School students.
QUESTION: How often are the tennis courts used?
ANSWER: Less than once a week.
QUESTION: How often was the basketball court used?
ANSWER: Every day.
QUESTION: What was the cost of the two lighted tennis courts?
ANSWER: Over $90,000.
QUESTION: What was the cost of the one unlighted basketball court?
ANSWER: Under $5,000.
In many municipalities, recreational facilities are designed for multiple uses to save money. This is done through proper allocation of space and time based on demand and equality.
It is tremendously selfish to think that it is a big burden on one or two tennis players to wait an hours for a court, while 10-15 young people who have no place to play basketball have to wait months for the possibility of a court being built. [Read more…]
