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Board OKs Shady Rest Bonds/Land Buys for Estero Parkway
May 31, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 31, 2005) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting. They are: Shady Rest Bonds - Authorized the issuance of $7 million of Industrial Development Authority Bonds (tax-exempt financing) by Shady Rest Care Pavilion Inc. (a not-for-profit corporation) to purchase Shady Rest Nursing Home from Lee County. Shady Rest is a 180-bed skilled nursing facility at 2310 North Airport Road. The county privatized operations of the facility several years ago and now is selling the property and building to the not-for-profit. Utility Bonds - Authorized the issuance of $20.13 million of Industrial Development Authority Bonds (tax-exempt financing) by North Fort Myers Utilities for its wastewater treatment system expansion, including the purchase of Heron's Glen Utility System. Estero Pkwy. - Approved the purchase of three parcels (nearly six acres) totaling $1.64 million for right-of-way for the extension of Estero Parkway from Three Oaks Parkway over I-75 to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Sheriff's Facility - Approved the $1.36 million purchase of a 3.46-acre parcel located at D75 Commerce Center (off of Treeline Avenue) for a future Sheriff's Evidence Facility (60,000 square feet). The Sheriff's evidence storage needs are expanding and the new location will free up space currently being used for evidence storage in the Sheriff's Headquarters (12,000 s.f.) on Six Mile Cypress and also leased space on Metro Parkway (30,000 s.f.). Conservation 20/20 - Approved grant requirements for an agreement to receive a 40 percent reimbursement of $2.53 million from the state's Florida Communities Trust for the Wild Turkey Strand Preserve. The preserve is 2,041 acres east of Southwest Florida International Airport running from S.R. 82 to near Alico Road. It was purchased by the county's Conservation 20/20 program in January 2003 for $6.25 million. |