The premise of this memorandum is to inform the City Council concerning the city’s desire to pursue the opportunity to have a controlling interest of the 4.3 acres that possesses the following structures: the Pres. John F. Kennedy nuclear fallout bunker, the Coast Guard facility, and the boathouse. City Manager Evans presented updates to the elected officials as early as August 14, 2019, and subsequent presentations and memorandums have followed. The city sees this as an opportune venture to work with both public- and private-sector firms with the intent of effectuating the restoration and revitalization of these important historic structures. As previously discussed, there would be the need for substantial economic investment to restore these facilities with the intention of promoting ecotourism, passive recreation, and historical preservation. Grant opportunities have been identified to assist in these restoration efforts; however, private-sector funds will have to augment public-sector dollars to facilitate the opportunity articulated in previous memorandums. The Port of Palm Beach currently owns and operates 129.8 acres of uplands and submerged lands and has entered into an agreement with Palm Beach County for a 30-year term which is set to expire in 2024 and will automatically renew without a 90-day notice.
The City of Riviera Beach staff believes that appropriations through the legislature as well as funding from trust funds, grants, and even the Florida Inland Navigation District are all potential contributors to the restoration of these facilities. The projected cost for renovations is approximately $4.7 million; nonetheless, the city will pursue private-sector involvement in capital campaigns to raise money to facilitate the construction and restoration of these valuable assets. Furthermore, as the closest municipality, it is only befitting that the City of Riviera Beach pursue such an endeavor to promote and advocate for access to the water, and historical preservation coincides with two of the city’s five strategic priorities: enhance government stewardship and community engagement.
City staff would like the support to pursue the following objectives: acquisition, operation and maintenance, lobbying, and funding. In addition to the four objectives, there are multiple elements that will be included as part of discussions and negotiations of a lease agreement for the property reference in the above. Furthermore, concurrently, staff will be working to bring forward potential revisions to the interlocal agreement to effectuate a more positive and productive relationship between the Port of Palm Beach and the City of Riviera Beach. As part of the discussions of the interlocal agreement, there are certain elements that may pertain to Peanut Island that are incorporated in the overall agreement between both parties.