By Mary Thurwachter
Lantana’s to-do list for the coming year includes pursuing a land swap of town-owned waterfront property on North Lake Drive for the old bowling alley land owned by Michael and Tony Mauro at 200 N. Third St.
The recently renovated library at 205 W. Ocean Ave. is quickly outgrowing its space and could use more room for community events, according to Town Manager Brian Raducci.
The town is interested in constructing a recreation center on the Mauro property, which is a short walk from the library.
A swap may require a voter referendum and a review of language in the Town Charter, Raducci said at a budget workshop in July.
The town paid $965,000, a bargain price, for the lots at 206, 210 and 302 N. Lake Drive in 2012. At the time, the mayor, Dave Stewart, said buying the land was an opportunity similar to the $4,000 Lions Club 1940s land purchase, which eventually gave Lantana a beach and preserved waterfront property for future generations.
Also on the to-do list for the year ahead, as outlined in the budget:
Redeveloping downtown’s Ocean Avenue properties. Twelve decrepit cottages on the north side of the avenue between Oak Street and Lake Drive were demolished this summer.
The goal is to replace them with a mixed-use planned development with residential and commercial space.
In their pursuit of a developer, town officials have said they will be flexible on building heights — possibly allowing as much as five stories. Mayor Karen Lythgoe says the town is “not expressly wanting” five-story buildings “but doesn’t want to turn away plans before the council can evaluate them.”
Beefing up the beach. Town leaders are giving thought to removing the old pavilion and exploring cost sharing opportunities to build new facilities on the beach without endangering the sea turtles. Raducci says the town may consider moving the Dune Deck Café to the former pavilion site and rebuilding the current restaurant into a second restaurant. Building a pier is a consideration for the future.
Partnering with a third party to rent kayaks and paddleboards and snorkel equipment at Lyman Kayak Park. Adding a small sundry shop and guided tours are also being considered.
Adding dock lifts at Sportsman’s Park. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Kem Mason proposed this idea at a visioning session in April. The 10 to 20 dock lifts could be leased out and create revenue for the town. Raducci says the town would ensure that costs do not exceed benefits, such as costs of permitting, construction, maintenance and dockmaster.
This project, Raducci says, would need to be a long-term plan in light of the Ocean Avenue Vulnerability Analysis, which considers raising the sea walls.
Improving the North Third Street parking lot in accordance with the town’s master plan. This would involve replacing the fence with a masonry wall and a new landscape plan.
All of these projects are highlighted in the FY 2025 budget. Public hearings on the budget are set for Sept. 9 and 18.
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