The new Belleair Beach causeway has gained national recoginition from "Roads and Bridges" magazine for using an innovative contruction technique. The magazine named the Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge replacement project as No. 5 in the top 10 bridge projects in 2009.
The 74-foot high, fixed-span bridge was the 2nd project in the U.S. to use "incremental launching" in its construction. It was 1st in the country to use concrete. The 1st project, in Ohio, used steel.
The bridge project is open to traffic and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. To view a video on incremental launching and the latest news on the bridge project, visit www.belleaircausewaybridge.com.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Expect Heavy Bridge Traffic On Saturday
The Foster Grant Ironman Championship 70.3 will cause some traffic issues this weekend. Because of road closures in Clearwater Beach and the surrounding area on Saturday, the Belleair causeway wll be busier than usual. Clearwater Beach roads will be closed south of the roundabout, so the Belleair causeway must used to access south beach and Sand Key instead of the Memorial Causeway.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Biltmore Being Fined Over Roof
The town of Belleair city code board voted 5-2 to fine the owner of the Belleview Biltmore Resort with daily fines of $250 per day until it fixes the dilapidated roof which has been in disrepair. The damage occurred during storms in 2004 when it was under different ownership.
"We don't agree and we will hopefully work it out through other avenues," said Joe Penner, a managing director for the owner.
The fines are another roadblock for the $100 million renovation project, which has been delayed by lawsuits, according to George Rahdert, a lawyer representing owner Latitude Management Real Estate Investors (formerly known as Legg Mason Real Estate Investors).
In November 2007, the town's code board gave the owner two years, or until last Sunday, to bring the roof into compliance. The project architect told the board that bringing the roof up to code was a "Herculean task" that would cost almost $6M, and that it was illogical to pour millions of dollars repairing it when it already requires total renovation that must be done from the ground up. Hotel representatives said the owners have repaired portions of the roof and implemented techniques to avoid leaks for now.
After the meeting, Rahdert said he was specifically concerned about a comment made by board member Don Newman, who suggested rescinding the fine if the owner would consider certain things that would help nearby neighbors and the Belleair Country Club including installing lighting along the roadway that leads to the hotel as well as nearby condos, pushing back intrusive fencing and unblocking parking, formerly used by the country club. Newman used the phrase "quid pro quo" which Rahdert called "extortion." Newman said his concerns were for neighbors who live in the area.
"We don't agree and we will hopefully work it out through other avenues," said Joe Penner, a managing director for the owner.
The fines are another roadblock for the $100 million renovation project, which has been delayed by lawsuits, according to George Rahdert, a lawyer representing owner Latitude Management Real Estate Investors (formerly known as Legg Mason Real Estate Investors).
In November 2007, the town's code board gave the owner two years, or until last Sunday, to bring the roof into compliance. The project architect told the board that bringing the roof up to code was a "Herculean task" that would cost almost $6M, and that it was illogical to pour millions of dollars repairing it when it already requires total renovation that must be done from the ground up. Hotel representatives said the owners have repaired portions of the roof and implemented techniques to avoid leaks for now.
After the meeting, Rahdert said he was specifically concerned about a comment made by board member Don Newman, who suggested rescinding the fine if the owner would consider certain things that would help nearby neighbors and the Belleair Country Club including installing lighting along the roadway that leads to the hotel as well as nearby condos, pushing back intrusive fencing and unblocking parking, formerly used by the country club. Newman used the phrase "quid pro quo" which Rahdert called "extortion." Newman said his concerns were for neighbors who live in the area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)