VERO BEACH — Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary will be closed to the public today through Oct. 9 as crews revamp the bridge to the island and make other improvements.
The $400,000 project is funded through a 50/50 split between the City of Vero Beach and a grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. Don Dexter, manager of public works, said that the project includes improving the walkway out to the island, adding new benches and seating around the island, finishing landscaping, installing more irrigation and replacing sod, and improving the sound system.
The island has to be closed while the city works on the bridge, which is expected to be done by Oct. 9.
“We’ve got it all dug up,” Dexter said of the walkway while crews tear up the asphalt and replace it with stamped concrete.
“Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary is a work in progress” for 15 years, Dexter said.
With the completion of this latest project, Dexter said that the island would be a step closer to the final phase.
The last improvement planned for the sanctuary is a proposed mosaic of the world within the ceremonial circle.
“The final decision hasn’t been made,” Dexter said of what the mosaic would actually look like.
Before making improvements and other changes to the island, the City of Vero Beach looks to the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary Committee and the Veterans Council for recommendations.
