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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Department of General Services Parks & Conservation Resources DEPARTMENTAL BCC Meeting 10/1512019 Date: To: October 7, 2019 The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Through: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator Michael C. Zito, Assistant County Administrator Kevin Kirwin, Director Parks & Conservation Resources From: Beth Powell, Assistant Director Parks & Conservation Resources Subject: Jones' Pier Conservation Area Public Use Improvements — Project Update, Florida Division of Historical Resources Grant Completion and Request to Apply for Additional Funding DESRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS For the past two and a half years, staff has been working on the development and implementation of a plan to provide storm repair damages, public access improvements, and lagoon water quality enhancements at the Jones' Pier Conservation Area (Jones' Pier CA). The 16.5 acre conservation area was purchased in 2008 with a $3.1M cost -share grant from the Florida Communities Trust. The total purchase price was $6.8M and the project was a priority acquisition through the County's Environmental Lands Program. The property was purchased to protect the historically significant site as well as to provide environmental protection on the barrier island. After Hurricane Matthew in 2017, it became clear that the County would need to expand the management plan efforts identified to include protection of the site from future storm surge, which became a pivotal point in the design and development of the public access improvements. During this time period the County has increased the focus of projects that provide water quality benefits to the Indian River Lagoon through Lagoon Legacy Projects. The planned improvements for the Jones Pier CA project were modified to maximize water quality benefits in addition to providing public access amenities. The resulting engineering and design for the project includes a 4 -acre saltmarsh with boardwalks, parking area with pavilion and restroom, restored hydric hammock, 100 foot living shoreline, 1+ mile hiking trail along the perimeter of the site, and elevating the 1920s Bungalow Cottage. Hurricane related repairs to both the Bungalow Cottage and the adjacent, smaller house are currently underway. This update is to provide the Board with an overview of the current status of the project. In addition, staff will provide the Board with information regarding the successful completion of the 2018 Florida Division of Historical Resources Small Matching Grant that was completed in July 2019. CURRENT STATUS OF PROJECT ELEMENTS JONES' PIER CONSERVATION AREA PUBLIC SERVICE VIDEO #1 Staff contracted with Verola Media to create the first in a series of public service announcements for the improvements developing at the Jones' Pier CA. This video will be available on Channel 27, on the County's website, Conservation Facebook page, and at other locations that request the video, i.e. Chamber of Commerce, Indian River Historical Society, etc. 66