SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council voted to approve the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce’s Pelican Porch project, a $150,000 remodeling of the building on the southeast corner of U.S. 1 and Main Street, which the city owns and has been the Chamber’s home under a 50-year lease agreement.
The Council voted 4-1 with Councilman Richard Gillmor casting the lone nay.
Among the proposed improvements is a 350-square-foot porch across the east side, which is to be the new main entrance area, with more convenient access to the parking area to the south. The current north entrance, with large storefront windows making it highly vulnerable to wind and rain that sweeps in across the lagoon, will be strengthened with block, and smaller, hurricane- resistant permanent windows. The project is expected to begin by late spring of 2015.
Council members Andrea Coy, Jerome Adams, Mayor Bob McPartlan and Vice-Mayor Jim Hill all spoke strongly in favor of the project, noting that, as “Sebastian’s Front Door,” it will benefit not only the business community, but also the entire Sebastian community.
The Chamber, said McPartlan, has supported and enhanced Sebastian in many ways for many years.
The only opposition came from Councilman Richard Gillmor, who asked, “What happened to the original plan?” and stated his belief that the current plan is not in compliance with the lease agreement because of its numerous changes.
He noted the Council’s heavy burden and fiduciary responsibility, and told Mitchell, “You have a sweetheart deal.”
Coy remarked that the original plan was more of a concept and, in the years since it was drawn, “other things have happened. There’s water coming in. Stuff happens and you accommodate it.”
The Council ultimately deferred to City Attorney Robert Ginsburg, whose opinion it was that the new plan was, in fact, in compliance.
He suggested precise, appropriate wording for the motion they were about to make, and said that the Council, as “landlord,” can make the decision whether to accept the proposal.
“It’s up to you and it’s before you,” he told them.
Anticipated to cost a total of $150,000, the Clambake Foundation is contributing $25,000 from this year’s Clambake Festival and other funds will come from donations from Chamber members.
The project involves re-orienting access to the building from the north to the east side with a new double-wide front porch door, providing easier access to the building from the south parking lot.
A handicapped-compliant walkway to the parking lot will be installed, and landscaping would be enhanced to code.
On the north side of the building, the floor-to-ceiling storefront windows will be removed and replaced with concrete walls and solid, fixed transom windows.
The entranceway on the north side will be improved with a covered entrance through a single door with side windows. All windows and doors will be hurricane-resistant.
The request document, submitted by Chamber President/CEO Beth Mitchell on behalf of the Board of Directors and more than 550 businesses and nonprofits in the area, says the project will benefit the local community because “the Chamber building serves as the Front Door to the community.”
“It is the officially designated Visitor’s Center for the National Scenic Byway Program and has served as the Information Center for the community and visitors for more than 15 years,” the request said. “The Chamber has been at the corner of U.S. 1 and Main Street since 1979, and has always been the first stop for visitors seeking information about events, festivals, news and businesses looking for ways to connect with the community.”
The Chamber responds to thousands of inquiries each year, and assists between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors.
“By making these improvements,” Mitchell said, “we’ll be enhancing the first impression people have about the business community, and greatly influencing how the entire community is viewed in many contexts of everyday life.
“Raising the visibility of the Visitor’s Center will enhance the Chamber’s efforts to encourage business growth and help promote tourism in the Sebastian River area. After the project is complete, the perception will be that the Sebastian area is Open For Business!”
The Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mitchell says, “has made a 100 percent buy-in to this project, with all Board members pledging money and in-kind services to ensure success.”
To date, the chamber has on hand $40,000 in cash, and $30,000 in pledges to be paid over the next five years.
In a brief tour, Mitchell pointed out the building’s north side, with its wide glass windows and door, has always been especially vulnerable to the storms and winds that often sweep in from the north and east. The new concrete walls and fixed windows will offer far more protection.
The current roof is relatively new and in good condition and will remain, and a new metal roof will be installed over the new construction.
There will be rocking chairs on the broad porch, which faces the lagoon and “those planters on the north side, which the city finally just filled with gravel, are going to go,” she said.
Inside, the administration and business areas will be reorganized in the west side of the building, and the welcome center and tourist areas will move to the east side.
Construction will be done by Sebastian builder Mickey Capp and Mitchell says she expects building permits by January 2015, and construction to begin by late spring.
The project will probably require the building be closed at some point, but she said, “We don’t want to miss tourist season.”
As soon as there is more information about when and how long the building might need to be closed, other plans will be made to keep the Chamber in operation.
Mitchell is grateful that the Chamber project was chosen to receive this funding and adds, “Just as important is the endorsement of the community organizations, with whom we have been partners for many years.”