The Daily Sun
By JESSICA ORLANDO Staff Writer,1 day ago
ENGLEWOOD — Charlotte County’s well-used Placida West Boat Ramp is getting a $7 million expansion that will more than double the number of boaters it can serve.
Charlotte County Communications Manager Brian Gleason said the expansion has been popular with the community.
“The Placida Park boat ramp is one of the most popular ones in the county and provides quick access to the Intracoastal Waterway, Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico,” Gleason said.
The existing facility at Placida Road and the Boca Grande Causeway provides three launch lanes, three boarding piers, 79 boat trailer parking spaces, portable toilets and an ice vending machine.
Expansion plans incorporate a neighboring parcel of land that will provide additional square footage and more ramps and parking spaces for the park.
New features will include a combined 158 boat trailer parking spaces, six launch lanes, an ADA accessible kayak launch, pavilions with shading and an ice vending machine, and improved accessibility from Placida Road and Boca Grande Causeway.
“In addition, a restroom facility will be added to replace the existing portable toilets in use,” Gleason said.
County officials have submitted permit applications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
A joint meeting was held with both agencies, and the county’s design team has provided them with options requested for further reduction of environmental impacts in order to obtain approvals.
Construction will be contracted by Florida Premier Contractors, while Coastal Engineering Consultants will handle design engineering and architecture.
According to Charlotte County, the project is in the design development phase which is scheduled to be complete in August, 2024.
“The expansion will be funded by revenues from the 2020 local option sales tax approved by voters,” Gleason said.
Estimated costs are as listed:
Design: $900,000Construction: $5,800,000Other Costs: $300,000Total Budget: $7,000,000