Leesburg officials were challenged on the city’s homeless problem while contemplating a $508,761 lighthouse project at Venetian Gardens.
The proposal, pitched at Monday’s night’s commission meeting, called for the mayor and city clerk to sign a construction agreement with the Leesburg Boat Club for construction of the 40-foot tall concrete lighthouse which would be topped by a five foot high aluminum bird cage holding the light. Estimated cost for the structure is $508,761. Commodore Sullivan of the boat club explained the plan to the commissioners. He indicated that the club would supervise construction and had contacted a number of subcontractors who promised to do the work for their actual costs. While the proposal was for $508,761, he said he believed that the actual cost could be lower. He emphasized that the lighthouse would enhance the lakefront.
When the mayor asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on the project, several people came forward. The president of the local NAACP chapter, Carl Davis, said $500,000 could help address the homeless situation in Leesburg.
Leesburg resident Jenn McCurry asked City Manager Al Minner if the funds to build the lighthouse came from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan. Minner said the city had received $11.5 million from the American Rescue Plan, which was approved by Congress to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the city had used most of the COVID stimulus money for city projects, but there is $692,000 in federal funding still in city coffers. McCurry pointed out that the funds should be used for infrastructure to improve the city, not for private clubs. Several other residents also expressed disapproval of the project.
When the commissioners discussed the project, Commissioner Mike Pederson said the lighthouse was a “luxury project and was controversial, but that the city could afford it.” Commissioner Jay Connell thought it would look nice, but said the lighthouse offered no benefit to the population. Mayor Jimmy Burry said that the lighthouse project had been discussed for years and that he thought the boat club should raise the funds to build it.
Commissioners Pederson and Allyson Berry voted to approve the project while Mayor Burry and Commissioner Connell and Commissioner Alan Reisman voted against the project. It was defeated 3-2.
