FELLSMERE — Fellsmere’s city leaders are again trying to get grant funds from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to put in boat ramps, docks, and parking in the northwestern most corner of the city as a way to enhance ecotourism.
“We hope to be successful this time,” City Manager Jason Nunemaker told the Fellsmere City Council when he presented his second attempt for the grant funds.
The St. John’s River Water Management District is embarking on a $1.15 million water project involving a 10,000-acre man made reservoir just outside Fellsmere, north of the Blue Cypress Lake.
Fellsmere is seeking $556,100 in grant funding from the FWC that would be used to build a boat ramp, install docks, and construct parking off the eight-mile Fellsmere Grade Road, west of the National Elephant Center, which leads to the Stick Marsh.
Last year, the city applied for $430,000 in grant funds but was ultimately denied.
Nunemaker said the denial wasn’t based on a lack of support for the proposed project – instead it was a matter of timing.
“Now, everything’s more lined up,” he said, explaining that it’s taken this long for St. John’s River Water Management District’s part of the project to move forward.
Nunemaker said the grant’s increased amount is due to the city having more time to refine the application and better estimate the construction costs.
The scope of the project, he said, had not been changed.
According to the grant application, the city, St. John’s River Water Management District and the property owner, Fellsmere Joint Venture, would share in the responsibilities of maintaining the facility.
The water district and the joint venture would provide the match required of the FWC grant.
The joint venture also would provide the land for the facility as well as the engineering design services and other related in-kind services for the site.
If the FWC again chooses to deny Fellsmere’s grant request, Nunemaker said he’d plan on resubmitting again during the next grant cycle.
Getting the boat facility is important to the city, according to Nunemaker, who explained that the Fellsmere City Council has been supportive of generating eco-tourism.
With the C-54 canal, the Stick Marsh and the soon-to-be reservoir, Fellsmere has plenty to offer.
“It’s one of the major underpinnings” of the city’s economy, Nunemaker said.
He added that it would be nice if the FWC would help the city in realizing its goal to have the boat facility to provide access to the reservoir.
“It will help us move our vision forward,” he said.
And, if approved, the city would later be able to add more amenities to the area, such as picnic tables and the like at a future date.