Friends of Turkey Creek Project Status Information February, 2004 Submitted by: Sue Hann, Deputy City Manager, Palm Bay, FL Comments added by FOTC Board Members

Turkey Creek Maintenance Dredging

Tree Removal: The removal of trees that fell into Turkey Creek upstream from the Port Malabar Bridge (up past the Santuary) is moving forward and planned for completion by the end of September.  Funding is still being pursued to remove trees from the rest of the creek, north (downstream) of the Port Malabar bridge.   Dredging All the dredging that was possible was completed as of March 10, 2005.  Due to permit restrictions, no dredging was allowed after this date.  We estimate that about 50% of the permitted areas were completed.  A late start by the dredger and many delays caused the project not to be completed.   The City staff is still working through the unresolved issues with the dredging contractor.  The resolution of these issues will ultimately determine the funds (if any) that will be available for any additional dredging.  Additional dredging will not be completed this winter, but we hope to be able to consider it for the winter of 2007.   The Friends of Turkey Creek and City staff are working together on the maintenance sump, which was also not fully completed.  The sump is a small excavation located just downstream of the Port Malabar Bridge and at the confluence of the Jersey Waterway and Turkey Creek; that will trap sediment coming into Turkey Creek from upstream sources. A conceptual engineering study indicated that the sump would be successful in capturing sediment under most storm events. FOTC and City staff worked with DEP to obtain the permit for the sump.  We are now working on determining how much of the sump was excavated, along with implementing a on-going monitoring program to determine the sumps effectiveness.

New Items

Boundary Canal Trail Work has been completed on the construction of Phase I of the Boundary Canal Trail, which runs along the south side of the canal between Malabar and Palm Bay, approximately parallel to Port Malabar Boulevard east of Briar Creek Boulevard. The trail entrance is located east of the Turkey Creek Bridge on Port Malabar Rd, just past Briar Creek Blvd.  The trail links Turkey Creek Sanctuary, the Turkey Creek 7 Park Trail, and the Palm Bay neighborhoods along Port Malabar Boulevard to the Cameron Preserve and the Malabar Scrub Sanctuary in Malabar. The project includes a hardened surface trail as well as bank stabilization and drainage improvements.   Phase II of the trail is under design with construction expected to start later this year (2005).  This will extend the new trail out to Marie St and there by linking into the Marie St Trail Head and the Jordan Scrub Preserve trails.   FOTC Note: A trail map is located on the Outdoors page.  We are beginning to accumulate quite a few trails in our area, with Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Sterner Park, the EEL's lands around Briar Creek, and the new 206 purchase across the creek from the Sanctuary.  More Trail information will be posted on the FOTC Trail Page.   Bayfront Signage New signs identifying the Bayfront Redevelopment District have been completed and can be found on most entrance roads into the District.

Channel Markers for Turkey Creek

The graphic below shows where the new navigation markers are located, along with the new pier... Channel markers have been completed from the mouth of Turkey Creek at the Lagoon to approximately Goode Park.  A new lighted Marker was included at the mouth of the bay.

Castaways Point South Pier

The pier will be approximately 130 feet long with an 8' x 20' wide terminal pier. No mooring or fish cleaning will be allowed. The fishing pier will include a navigational light to guide boaters from the shoals (shallow areas) at the mouth of the creek. Total Project Cost - $100,000 – 50% Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Estimated Timeline: December - Project will be advertised for bid in March 2004, with construction starting this summer. FOTC Update October 2004: Construction has been completed!

Turkey Creek Resort

A local developer is proposing to transform the Pospisil Family marina property at 2906 Pospisil Ave., NE into an extended stay resort to be called the Turkey Creek Resort. The facility will be comprised of 17 predominately one-story buildings with a total of 43 rental units and a manager’s residence. The buildings on the just under 3-acre parcel will be built in the Florida Vernacular Architectural Style. The project will be the first development in the Bayfront Village area of the City’s redevelopment district. The resort will cater to snowbirds, people needing sort term housing while having a home built, and out-of-town visitors wanting more than just a hotel/motel room has to offer. All units will come with a full kitchen and have separate bedrooms. Existing dock space can be used by guests to moor a boat. Construction will be scheduled following permit approvals.

Pollak Park

The Boating Safety Center (funded 50% by FIND) is complete. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is now using the facility to conduct boating safety classes. For more information about boating safety classes, please contact Jim McGinness 254-0540 or Bill Miller 779-1459.   The park has been enhanced to include a nautical theme and amenities such as lighting, trash bins, benches, restrooms, a pavilion and a playground.   FOTC Update:  The Boating Safety Center is open and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 42 is offering one-day Boating Safely Programs.  The park pavilion and playground have now been completed along with the paving of the road and parking. Course Schedules: http://cgaux7.org/pub_classes.asp Course Descriptions: http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/public/btng_sfy.htm Home Page: http://www.cgaux.org/

Lagoon House

The Lagoon House environmental learning center is complete. The project, costing over $1 million, was funded through FIND, Florida Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and Florida Coastal Management Program grants.   Shoreline design is underway with construction pending contractor acquisition.  For additional information regarding the shoreline stabilization, please visit the City of Palm Bay web site at palmbayflorida.org.   FOTC Update: MRC (Marine Resources Council) has moved into the Lagoon House  The facility is really beautiful and is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday.  The boardwalk was damaged in the hurricane's, but will be repaired in the near future.

Knect Park

A new playground has been constructed at Knect Park (along the Turkey Creek 7 Park Trail) and includes a very large shade canapy.  FOTC will post pictures in the near future.

Turkey Creek Blueway/Greenway Phase II

The Turkey Creek Blueway/Greenway comprises public green spaces along Turkey Creek.   Some of the Phase II project has been accomplished with the recent closing on the "Outlaw Properties" that were recently purchased.  This includes the "Outlaw Island" along with multiple parcels along the creek.  Other properties within Phase II are still being worked to date.    In addition, the property on the east side of Turkey Creek, south of Port Malabar Boulevard and west of Briar Creek Boulevard has been acquired for preservation and passive recreation.   A team of city staff members and citizens (including FOTC Board Members) have worked together to develop the management plan for the properties.   FOTC Note: Two FOTC Board Members participated in the management planning sessions.  A few low impact trails were planned well away from residential areas, along with exotic plant controls and native plant restorations.  Canoe landings are also possible in areas, again away from residential areas and without impacting the natural landscape.  Excellent results are came from these sessions.   Map of Proposed Land Purchases (in Red). Click to enlarge. New Land Purchases in Red

US 1 Projects in the Bayfront Redevelopment Area

The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $52,500 grant to Palm Bay to conduct a planning study relating the National Scenic Highway (US 1 and SR A1A). The primary focus of the study is a parking study, which would make the byway more accessible to the byway traveler. Other aspects of the study included pedestrian linkage to the Lagoon House, a water-taxi feasibility analysis and a traffic calming conceptual analysis of the US 1 corridor through the Redevelopment District.   In addition, the Redevelopment Agency consultant, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. is studying various improvements within the redevelopment area. These projects include various improvements to Palm Bay Road from R.J. Conlon to US 1 and park and pedestrian improvements along US 1 between Sterns Point Park and Castaways Point Park. Bayfront Redevelopment