"Beached" — Pavilion Update

LSPOA's pavilion is now truly waterfront property as all protective dunes have been washed away

It appears our beach Pavilion can be put back where it is, should we have to move then reassemble it.  That's according to a City of Sarasota zoning analyst.  LSPOA Beach Sub-Committee Chair Elliott Himelfarb reached out to the City about the possibility of saving the 14-year old structure by taking it apart, temporarily storing the costly roof and lumber, then reassembling it.

The city's response says Sarasota's zoning director would be "comfortable with allowing it to be reinstalled, with a permit, at the same location." (emphasis added)  It went on to say, "If you are proposing a different location for the reinstallation, I would need to have the proposed location and have another conversation to confirm it would be allowed."  And the zoning analyst added, " Also please remember this is a VE (Wind Velocity) Zone, and I believe it would also need state approval."

Newly constructed Pavilion in 2004. (Photo courtesy Siebert Architects)

The current Pavilion was permitted to be constructed on the same site as the original so called "Hut" or "Beach Shelter" in 2004.

Elliott says that while we no longer have our protective berm, the Pavilion appears to be sound and certainly useable.  "If today's beach condition is the new norm, sand will come and go with the seasons and we will continue to monitor."

Elliott added:  "The good news is that we have some support from the City Zoning Department, an awakened insurance company, contingency plans to disassemble and move the structure if required and more of a clear direction on working with the authorities to keep things from worsening, and maybe pressure them into renourishing our part of Lido beach."

Pavilion footings still in tact

LSPOA is still awaiting a requested written confirmation of flood coverage from our insurance carrier Nationwide.  We've been verbally assured our policy would cover replacement costs up to $90,000 should the Pavilion be destroyed by flood water.

As of late Wednesday (May 30) afternoon, the Pavilion is still firmly in place, but now virtually on the beach, exposed to the whims of gulf tides, storms and whatever else Mother Nature has in store.


~Bob Thill
bthill@icloud.com

May 16th photo (notice bench behind dune- left center)

May 30th photo shows dune gone with a mere step up to beach path