Skyway East Pier Spans: I called FDEP today

[jab]

what about the bathrooms you can cross from there but i guess theyll block it.

[havetofish]

David
Thanks for the info and for calling them. Not being able to walk on the East pier is the part we are going to have to work on getting them to change. It just doesn't make any sense.

[havetofish]

Yep, the 10 million they are supposed to come up with for the west pier, won't be available and therefore it won't matter that it is under 50 years old.
I guess if they left the east pier open to foot traffic, then Pier associates would have to still maintain it working with a lot less revenue.
The other issue is with the lease Pier Associates has til 2020, with their attorneys invloved, probably can be settled for a smaller amount than the cost to upkeep the pier.

Boaters will have some hungry grouper off those east rock piles after the pier fishing pressure takes a break.

[jab]

this is a bummer.

[Floridaboy]

I can tell you, as an employee of the state (NOT DEP), that any money they generate usually goes directly into the general fund. To get any of it back, the legislature has to give it to them.

If it is set up to go into the "trust fund" as they call it, then the legislature will usually look at their budget request for the year and figure that in.

Here's an example (using made up numbers). Lets say that DEP generates $100 dollars from their parks, and they submit an operating budget for $200 a year. The legislature will say: "last year you made $100 dollars in your parks, so this year we will give you the other $100 to equal a $200 budget. If park attendance goes down, so does their budget.

This is something we as a group will need to address next spring during the legislative session to get extra money approved for pier maintenance. It will take a local Rep to submit the bill in the budget. Anyone have any contacts?

[havetofish]

I don't know much about the Floirida State Budget process, but lets assume your right and it goes to the general fund. How do we know the pier dosen't generate enough income to support the maintainence required. Just like all other state funded projects they are probably using the general income for something else than what it was generated from.

This whole conversation would be different if they would have stated sooner that the Pier is in such bad shape that it may have to be closed unless monies are raised to fix it.
Its the way they have gone about it that is suspicious. I don't recall at anytime they tried to generate more income by raising the fees. I would pay more to keep both piers open. They didn't give anyone a choice.

[dlkpalmetto]

one of the reps I talked to yesterday from fitzgeralds office ion sarasota said with money as tight as it is no matter how much money is generated by the pier entrance fees.....it's going somewhere else.....not to the pier....theONLY SHOT we have right now, is to push for them to allow foot traffic on the closed span. if thats granted , then maybe some one can come up with a plan or idea to secure funding for needed repairs...right now I would highly recommend you all to go to the other thread on here and get a list of all the reps that monty listed as well as gov crist and call and email with the request that they keep it open to foot traffic. forget about trying to get them to repair it....heck they have already begun work, I was up there last night...it's a reality!!!!MAKE THE CALLS PEOPLE!!!

[billyt]

The picture has been something that should like all things been taken care of along time ago,
if I did not know it I'd say there is support to eliminate land-based anglers from fishing all
around FLorida.
When old indian rocks pier was taken apart by nature and not rebuilt the painting started in
earnest.
The skyway fishing piers are a national landmark yet after years of neglect the change to
the picture is starting in earnest.
The alantic side of the state is just about void of access to surf fishermen and women,one
will have to head north in order to fish sooner then later.
Money is a problem for the rich investers not the poor as the poor just try and squeek out
a liveing.I say use the moeny and fix the piers once and for all,and make it so it will last
for over100yrd or more,close them down and leave it the way it is but in perfect condition
once its complete.
But fix it and do it right no short cuts,if done right the moeny will surely have a greater return
in the long run.