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Board Consideration to Approve Grant Agreement for Development of a "Kitching Railhead Station" Historical Interpretive and Educational Display on the North County Regional Park Portion of the St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners formally consider the following information at the Board's regular meeting of March 5, 2002. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded a grant of up to $150,000 to the County for construction of a historic educational display at the North County Regional Park, subject to County Commission approval of the attached State Buffer Preserve Enhancement Grant Agreement. The historic and educational display, called the Kitching Station Railhead project, is proposed to be constructed along the old Fellsmere Railroad Grade where it intersects with the entrance of the North County Regional Park on the St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve (see attached map). Other than in-kind County services in administrating the grant, the project as proposed will be entirely financed by the State grant. The County Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC), at its meeting of September 7, 2001, considered the proposal. Although the HRAC did not formally vote on the matter, the concept of the project was generally endorsed (see attached unapproved minutes) ANALYSIS The Grant Agreement allows up to 18 months for completion of the project from the time of execution of the Agreement. As specified in the "Project Work Plan" (Attachment A to the Agreement), the project entails: • Restoration of a section of the old Fellsmere Railroad Grade, including reconstructing a section of the railroad line; • Purchase and restoration of a steam engine representative of that used on the original railroad line; • Construction of a replica railroad depot with exhibits; • Provision of parking and landscaping (as necessary); and • Development of a trail system along a section of the railroad grade within the regional park using the railroad depot as a trailhead. As proposed, the County will hire a contractor to construct the improvements. The grant obligates the County to submit quarterly progress reports, which will be the responsibility of county staff. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached Grant Agreement, and authorize the Board Chairman to execute the Agreement on behalf of the County. ATTACHMENTS 1. Map(s) showing proposed location of the Kitching Railhead Station project. 2. Copy of HRAC unapproved minutes of 09/27/01. 3. State Buffer Preserve Enhancement Grant Agreement. March 5, 2002