By Debbie Carson, Online Editor
FELLSMERE — More than a month after securing a $5,000 grant from the City of Fellsmere, the Lilly Pad is ready for an upgrade. Located next door to Marsh Landing, the Lilly Pad is the former home of the Fellsmere Farmer and Fellsmere Tribune.
Contractors were out at the building Monday afternoon getting started on fixing up the place.
Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams, representing Magnolia Farms, sought the city’s blessing on a facade improvement grant for the building in early September. She passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Joel Tyson and abstained from voting on the item.
“I’ve been after the property owner for some time” to apply for the grant, City Manager Jason Nunemaker said at the time Adams approached the council.
Work includes removing and replacing the columns, reinstalling the side door, repairing cracks in the stucco, replacing three windows, and giving the building a fresh coat of paint. In all, the work is expected to cost about $9,200.
Adams told the council that her mother, Fran Adams, plans to have the building functioning as a business again within the next several months.
Plans include turning the Lilly Pad into a gift shop and a hub for eco-tourism. Adams said that the pad would be a place visitors could go to in order to find information on eco-tours, boat rides, fishing charters and other such activities.
“I think it’s great,” said Councilwoman Sara Savage, of the Adams’ plan for rehabilitating the dilapidated building next to Marsh Landing.
When the construction work is complete, the building will be painted the opposite of its neighboring restaurant. The building will be cream colored with “Creole cottage” trim.