11-2023 We were told by District 3 Commissioner Ray Sandeli that the Timeline and cost of of project could not be determined because they do not know when FEMA will allow them to repair existing facilities at Bowditch. They informed us that work must be done 1st. So we keep fundraising to an unknown number. Although verbally that may be $150K
6 - 2023 In an attempt to finish the project we reached out to Mack Young, Director Lee County Parks. We were told the cost may have gone up as much as 30%.
​
12 - 2022 Hurricane Ian leveled Fort Myers Beach on September 28th and our fundraising stopped to help victims. Our group helped raise $13,185.32 for local shrimpers. We talked to Director, Lee County Parks post Ian, Our project has probably been delayed at least one year. This gives us the time we need to fundraise and the time they need to fix things a Bowditch Point Regional Park. We will continue to fundraise for our project and move forward.
​
7-2022 Lee County's cost estimate to came in at $90K not including original Stone Cutting, Signage and Bricks. The cost estimate calculated by RFMBA, Inc based on Government estimates is now $125K. We are roughly at 62% of that cost estimate. We will continue to fundraise.
​
4-2022 Meeting was held among the players in Lee County, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc, and LCM Engineering Inc. Lee County was to work on MOA, Government Cost Estimate and Signage text in preparation for turning the project over to Lee County
​
11-2021 Final Engineering package was given to Jesse Lavender and discussion was had to determine when we would be totally funded. We told Jesse if everything goes, we should reach our fundraising goal of $53K and we will be ready to move forward May 2022 with funding. The County can then do a request for proposal and source selection of a construction contractor of the Commemorative Arch.
​
2-1-2021 The Town council of Fort Myers Beach unanimously supports two locations for the Arches. The town of Fort Myers Beach sends a letter to Lee County chose Bowditch Point Regional Park. The Arch should be a 20ft single Arch constructed in the style of the original Fort Myers Beach Arches (1924-1979). Lee County has taken over engineering and design approval. Our group holds the purse strings to pay for engineering and construction..
​
12-3-20
From: Ray McDonald <mickyds2002@yahoo.com>
To: raymurphy@fmbgov.com <raymurphy@fmbgov.com>; Council <council@fmbgov.com>
Cc: Cecil Pendergrass Dist2 <dist2@leegov.com>; Raymond Sandelli Dist3 <dist3@leegov.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2020, 09:59:51 AM MST
Subject: Town Of FMB Intention to Move Forward in Restoring Arches
All,
It is exciting for us that the Town of Fort Myers Beach has come to a consensus about finding a location and exploring the possibility of Restoring Fort Myers Beach Arches. I encourage all of you to join our group "Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches" on Facebook to see how we operate.
We noticed there was a question of how much material we have of the original Arches in the meeting today. We have 17 Stones, 60,000 lbs of original stone. We think it is about 1/3 of the original Arches. These stones were 3D imaged by USF to allow our Structural Engineering firm a method to include them in a new arch.
Replacement Stone can be sourced from Lynquist Brothers Quarry on Alico Rd. They have given us permission to send our stone masons out to hand-pick appropriate material full of shell stone.
Although, we do get the basis behind your opinion that we are a disjointed organization, we aren't. We have a public group and to keep the majority of folks happy (just like you), we vote on things. Our local VP died last year and that didn't help. Although, Gayle Mason has been given a lot of leeway in speaking for us. But ultimately I am in Charge. I am a phone call away.
We have already agreed to Crescent Beach Family Park as a location. Our group has also voted for the street side and the Time Square side of Lynn Hall Park. As far as the beach Access we will put it to a vote and have that answer for you Monday.
The original Arches were 27ft high in the middle of the Bell Tower, the traffic egress part of the Arches was 17ft tall 2ft wide. We have included slide 1 as an attachment it shows how those dimensions would change with a 60% and 40% Arch.
If Time Square is chosen, wouldn't it be cool to add a functional Bell Tower to the project synced to a clock. Just a though.
Much has been made about the view anything the Arches is put in front of being blocked. W have included a photo of the original Arches. It is see-through. Residents of that era will tell you it enhances the view.
Funding the Arches has always been our intention and still is. Although COVID-19 has really stopped our fundraising efforts, I think if our member knew for sure the Arches have a location, our effort to raise funds might improve. Our original estimate for a 60ft Arch in Crescent Park Family Park was $75K.
Our group is ecstatic and we look forward to working with you. Thanks.
Steven Ray McDonald
President, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc.
520-227-9902
12-3-20
At the request of Jim Atterholt the Arches and Time Square Clock went on the Agenda during the Planning Meeting. Our group organized the Rake Around The Clock Event with BOYD Sand Artist
and feel we may have had alot to do with both the clock being saved The Arches were voted on unanimously by Mayor and Council the Mayor summarizing "We Are Moving Forward With Intention Of Restoring The Arch". Many Questions were asked and answered in an email back to the town.
From: Ray McDonald <mickyds2002@yahoo.com>
To: raymurphy@fmbgov.com <raymurphy@fmbgov.com>; Council <council@fmbgov.com>
Cc: Cecil Pendergrass Dist2 <dist2@leegov.com>; Raymond Sandelli Dist3 <dist3@leegov.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2020, 09:59:51 AM MST
Subject: Town Of FMB Intention to Move Forward in Restoring Arches
All,
It is exciting for us that the Town of Fort Myers Beach has come to a consensus about finding a location and exploring the possibility of Restoring Fort Myers Beach Arches. I encourage all of you to join our group "Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches" on Facebook to see how we operate.
We notice there was a question of how much material we have of the original Arches in the meeting today. We have 17 Stones, 60,000lbs of original stone. We think it is about 1/3 of the original Arches. These stones were 3D imaged by USF to allow our Structural Engineering firm a method to include them in a new arch. Replacement Stone can be sourced from Lynquist Brothers Quarry on Alico Rd. They have given us permission to send our stone masons out to hand-pick appropriate material full of shell stone.
Although, we do get the basis behind your opinion that wee are a disjointed organization, we aren't. We have a public group and to keep the majority of folks happy (just like you), we vote on things. Our local VP died last year and that didn't help. Although, Gayle Mason has been given a lot of leeway in speaking for us. But ultimately I am in Charge. I am a phone call away.
We have already agreed to Crescent Beach Family Park as a location. Our group has also voted for the street side and the Time Square side of Lynn Hall Park. As far as the beach Access we will put it to a vote and have that answer for you Monday.
The original Arches were 27ft high in the middle of the Bell Tower, the traffic egress part of the Arches was 17ft tall 2 ft wide. We have included slide 1 as an attachment it shows how those dimensions would change with a 60% and 40% Arch.
If Time Square is chosen, wouldn't it be cool to add a functional Bell Tower to the project synced to a clock. Just a though.
Much has been made about the view anything the Arches is put in front of being blocked. W have included a photo of the original Arches. It is see-through. Residents of that era will tell you it enhances the view.
Funding the Arches has always been our intention and still is. Although COVID-19 has really stopped our fundraising efforts, I think if our member knew for sure the Arches have a location, our effort to raise funds might improve. Our original estimate for a 60ft Arch in Crescent Park Family Park was $75K.
Our group is ecstatic and we look forward to working with you. Thanks.
Steven Ray McDonald
President, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc.
​
8-14-2020 After waiting for 9 months for Lee County to help Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc in finding a suitable location for a replica of the Arches this was their proposal. Our group voted 25 to 1 against it accepting the proposal:
On Monday, September 14, 2020, 11:56:04 AM MST, Harner, David wrote:
Good afternoon Mr. McDonald,
To follow up on our conversation, Lee County always supports honoring the history of our area through educational means. With this being said, we are willing to feature one stone remnant from the arches at the Main Street Park & Ride, along with a story board explaining the significance of the stone and the history of the arches. Please see attached illustrations representing our offering.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Thank you,
Dave Harner
Lee County Government
Deputy County Manager
​
11-19-2019 Yesterday, sadly the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted against placing a 60% replica of the Arches in Crescent Beach Family Park 4 to 1. Today the Lee County Commissioners voted 5-0 to use Lee County resources to help Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc. find a suitable location for a new replica of the Arches. We continue fundraising for that eventuality.
9-30-2019 A compromise was reached late last week. Lee County Managers and Cecil Pendergrass sat down with stake holders. 60 ft of Crescent Beach Family Park was offered up to Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc to place a roughly 60% replica of the Arches in the southeast corner of the park. Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches Inc. accepted this compromise.
9-12-2019 Marked the start and end of talks with Lee County about the footprint of the Arches in Lee Counties Crescent Beach Family Park. We discuss roughly a 50% replica or a 100% replica footprint. We told Lee County that the 40% replica of the Arches 40 ft was not acceptable to our project. Lee County Director of Parks and Recreation, Jessie Lavendar vowed this is the one and only solution Lee County will offer our project. No other location will be discussed. So we are back to looking at other locations. At this point we are seeking private property owners who would like to have the Arches built on their property.
​
7-8-2019 Thanks to action from Lee County Commissioners (Cecil Pendergrass). We were contacted by Lee Tran Director Robert Cody, he was assigned by Lee County Deputy County Manager David Harner to work with our group to help us obtain a construction temporary use agreement to reconstruct the Arches in Crescent Beach Park. He is reaching out to key stakeholders and we (Robert Williams and myself) will be meeting with County officials later this month.
On May 21, 2019 Ron Corbet conducted a public speak at the Lee County BOCC Meeting and our organization was granted an opportunity to meet with Government to discuss Restoring Fort Myers Beach Arches. Cecil Pendergrass vows "We will get this done".
Ray McDonald <mickyds2002@yahoo.com> January 26, 2018 at 12:01 PM
To: Meurer, Douglas marlon.bizerra@dot.state.fl.us
CC: Jane Luchi Lawrence Massey Dist3, Larry Kiker Jeremy Fletcher Desjarlais, Roger
Douglass, and to all others involved,
Thank you for your consideration, we look forward finding the answers as plans are set into place so we may get a yes or no answer to our plan.
For now, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches will continue fundraising and awareness raising for restoring this historic icon. We look forward to partnering with community leaders in the future when there are fewer variables and an opportunity presents itself. Thanks for helping us restore Fort Myers Beach history.
Steven Ray McDonald
President, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc.
520-227-9902
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Meurer, Douglas" <DMeurer@leegov.com>
To: Ray McDonald <mickyds2002@yahoo.com>; "marlon.bizerra@dot.state.fl.us" <marlon.bizerra@dot.state.fl.us>
Cc: Jane Luchi <bridgsplace@gmail.com>; Lawrence Massey <lawrence.massey@dot.state.fl.us>; "Dist3, Larry Kiker" <dist3@leegov.com>; Jeremy Fletcher <jeremy.fletcher@dot.state.fl.us>; "Desjarlais, Roger" <RDesjarlais@leegov.com>
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2018 11:51 AM
Subject: RE: SR865 Study changes to San Carlos Blvd and Main St Intersection
Mr. McDonald,
Per your request, I am emailing you to document our phone discussion.
We do not recommend sponsoring the agenda item or any additional activity regarding the arch options at this time. There are significant efforts currently taking place regarding the planning of San Carlos Blvd. improvements, Matanzas Pass Bridge improvements and the continuation of construction along Estero Blvd. Given the significant unknowns related to each of those components, it just is not the right time to try to program the arches into the discussion.
As I said, we recommend you stay involved in the FDOT process to keep up to date. Thanks for the cordial conversation and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Douglas L. Meurer, P.E.
Assistant County Manager
239-533-2221
meurerdl@leegov.com
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1-22-2018 Letters to Larry Kiker Requesting at vote a Lee Council Meeting
From: Ray McDonald <mickyds2002@yahoo.com>
To: Larry Kiker Dist3 <dist3@leegov.com>
Cc: Jane Luchi <bridgsplace@gmail.com>; "mrsabiston@hotmail.com" <mrsabiston@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2018 3:14 PM
Subject: Bluesheet Info
Larry,
Request Bluesheet consideration on 20 Febuary.
ACTION REQUESTED: Accept motion to consider directing FDOT feasibility study for Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc. Project (The Arches) to determine the feasibility/proof of concept of restoring Fort Myers Beach Arches. Counsel will submit Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc Lee County approved engineering package to consider feasibility to Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches (1924-1979) as described and required by FDOT.
WHY IS ACTION NEEDED: FDOT will not look at our goal (To Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches) without Lee County bye-in. The look-ahead to a Community Aesthetic Feature Agreement to ensure there are no show stoppers. The south end of San Carlos Blvd and Main St lies in Lee County District 3 and is an FDOT controlled roadway SR865
WHAT ACTION ACCOMPLISHES: If approved by FDOT, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc. will ask Lee County to submit a Community Aesthetic Feature Agreement to FDOT to restore the Arches. If denied, we request an alternate location be determined and revisited. The other option is deferring expenses and control of the intersection to Fort Myers Beach Counsel. The ultimate goal is to preserve the remains of the historic Fort Myers Beach Arches for future generations.
CATEGORY could be 04, 09 or 11 as determined.
AGENDA: Consent
Time Required: 18 Months
MEETING DATE: February 20th, 2018
OTHER: FDOT Community Aesthetic Feature Agreement
REQUESTOR: LARRY KIKER
BACKGROUND: On 8/2/2016 Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches did a presentation to promote restoring Fort Myers Beach Arches, they have since incorporated and began to do fundraising to prepare for planning and engineering. The first goal of this organization is to restore the arches near the original location, with original materials, over the road, larger, taller and wider meeting all hurricane and FDOT requirements. To enable FDOT to look at the project FDOT must have Lee County Bye-in.
Steven Ray McDonald
President, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches
520-227-9902