FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
              (239) 335-2777

BOARD APPROVES ARCHITECT FOR $27 MILLION JAIL/OKs FUNDS FOR CONSERVATION 20/20 RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 26, 2004) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting (backup can be viewed at
http://www.lee-county.com/meetings/agendafiles/2004/10-26-04/102604/102604.htm). They are:

Ortiz Jail Expansion - Approved Architectural Concepts as the number one ranked firm to do the design for the Ortiz Jail Expansion. The $27 million ($1.9 million design, $25.1 million construction) project includes building an eight-story expansion at the Ortiz Avenue Correctional Facilities in Fort Myers. The building would replace the existing stockade, which is beyond renovation, and have room for future inmate population growth. The architectural contract will be for a not-to-exceed amount of $1.9 million. The entire project will be bond financed and repaid with non-property tax revenues.

20/20 Preserve - Approved a match to a grant that will be used to design improvements to the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve, making it the first Conservation 20/20 property that will be fully accessible for recreation. The preserve is 1,115 acres located on the north side of the Caloosahatchee River just east and west of Interstate 75 and has 3.5 miles of river frontage. The state Department of Environmental Protection is funding $150,400 (Lee County will match it) to design improvements for public access, including canoe/kayak launch facility, picnic facilities, restrooms, and other related support facilities.

New Signal - Approved a new traffic signal at College Parkway and Riverwalk Park Boulevard and accepted $117,300 from 11 private parties (nearby businesses and school) to fund the construction.

Colonial Widening - Approved WilsonMiller as the number one ranked engineers to do the design of the six-laning of the 2.5-mile stretch of Colonial Boulevard from I-75 to State Road 82. The $9.4 million project is scheduled for design in 2005 and construction in 2006.

Pool Renovation - Approved Aquamarine Swimming Pool Company as the contractor to do the renovation of the San Carlos Community Pool for $88,227.

Bonita Parking - Approved an agreement with the City of Bonita Springs to allow for the city to issue beach parking permits (for Bonita Beach Regional Park and Little Hickory Island Beach Park) to its residents at a reduced cost. The city will reimburse Lee County up to $10,000 for lost revenue. Bonita residents will be able to purchase a parking sticker for $5 instead of paying the hourly rate of 75 cents.

Boomer Estate - Approved an agreement to work in partnership (50/50) with the state to negotiate the purchase of the 100 acres in Estero known as the Boomer Estate. It is located at the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and Broadway Street. The county will use funds from its Conservation 20/20 program. The state is pursuing the purchase through its Florida Forever Program. Original asking price was $14.5 million.

Mining Issue - Directed staff to research amendments to the Land Development Code that would provide additional requirements for mining operations that utilize dewatering.