By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
SEBASTIAN - Plans to build a parking lot next to the popular Riverview Park in Sebastian will be open for public discussion next Wednesday.
On Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. in the Sebastian City Council chambers, city staff and the contracted engineering firm, Infrastructure Engineers of Sebastian, will accept public comment, questions and suggestions about the parking lot property immediately north of Riverview Park.
The "CavCorp" parking lot, which is bordered on the west by a gas station and on the east by Indian River Drive, is being modified to provide additional boat trailer and car parking.
At previous meetings, staff outlined the improvement project must protect the oaks trees in the area, save the existing clock tower and have a good traffic flow.
The conceptual plan by the engineers has 60 extra-long parking spaces, appropriate for boat trailers, and 65 car-size parking spaces, plus five handicap-accessible spaces. The design incorporates both angled and straight parking.
Frank Hickson, consultant project manager, said his company is eager to receive comments from the public.
"We love to solicit public comment on the design. Some suggestions are not feasible, or are cost-restrictive, but we will take the comments," Mr. Hickson said.
Members of the public can fill out comment cards and ask questions at the meeting, he said. The cards can also be taken home and given to neighbors and their responses can be mailed in, Mr. Hickson said.
The comments will be taken under consideration and brought back to city council for a debriefing. If the designs are changed as a result of the public comment, the city council will be shown the changes.
Mr. Hickson said once the conceptual phase is completed and approved, they can begin work on the final design and hopefully have it completed in November, which would allow construction to begin in early 2013.
For more information, visit www.cityofsebastian.org.