 Sink Day Postponed!
Six-month delay gives organizers more time to find remaining $1.3M
The state has ponied up $1 million for the Vandenberg artificial reef project, leaving advocates confidently looking for the remaining $1.3 million to make their beleaguered dream a reality.
"It did go through, and we just got approved for a million dollars five minutes ago," County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro said Wednesday afternoon. "I don't know the details yet, but now we just have to make sure we get the other $1.3 million."
The Florida House and Senate on Wednesday approved HB 179, sponsored by Vero Beach Rep. Stan Mayfield, which included the Ships to Reefs funding.
Di Gennaro, who said he has "something up his sleeve" for the remaining $1.3 million, will ask the Monroe County Commission and Monroe County Tourist Development Council to grant a one-year extension of their funding commitments to the project, $2 million and $1 million respectively.
Di Gennaro said Tourist Development Council Director Harold Wheeler already gave his blessing to delay the project. "I asked for a six-month extension and Harold suggested the one-year extension," Di Gennaro said.
Organizers this week announced they will delay the sinking until after December to take the pressure off fundraising efforts.
"The problem was the deadline of June 1," City Commissioner Bill Verge said. "This will give us at least another six months to find the other $1.3 million."
The June 1 deadline for the sinking related to hurricane season, and an unwillingness to have a 523-foot ship sitting at a downtown Key West dock during the storm season. Verge seemed unconcerned about the added dock charges.
He will take part in a teleconference today that includes the authorities at Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Va., where the ship currently is "arrested" for lack of payment, meaning no more work can take place until arrangements are made to pay the outstanding $1.6 million bill.
"The million dollars we got [Wednesday] gave confidence to the yard that we're able to raise money. I think they'll accept partial payment for now," Verge said. "We'll get the work finished and then find a cheaper place to store it for hurricane season before bringing it down."
The artificial reef project has been plagued with increasing costs that recently put the enterprise $2.3 million over budget and called into question the feasibility of an anticipated May 15 sink date. Undeterred, proponents say it will be worth it in the long run.
"I believe we have to drive in more income in this county," Di Gennaro said. "The reasons I'm supporting this project include the 195 new jobs it will provide, and the $7 to $8 million in gross sales per year. You have to invest money to make money."
Verge added that he wants to make the Vandenberg more of a community project than a dive project.
"We've got to get the community involved," he said. "We all need it, we'll all benefit from it, but a lot of people feel it has a very narrow focus. The alternative is that we have no ship and a lot of lawsuits."
Key West Citizen | Mandy Bolen
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