Jupiter Historic Resources Board Agenda Regular Meeting April 26, 2016 6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
Chairperson Jamie Stuve Town Attorney, Thomas J. Baird Vice-Chairperson Debi Murray Asst. Director of Planning and Zoning, Board Member Carlos Bonilla Stephanie Thoburn Board Member Chris Edwards Principal Planner and Staff Liaison, Board Member Patricia Walsh David Kemp Board Member Patricia Estabrook Garret Watson, Planner Board Member Brett Leone Secretary, Catherine Baglia
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Approval of Minutes: February 22, 2016 (Exhibit 1)
3. Introduction of new Board Members: a. Patricia Estabrook b. Brett Leone
4. Sawfish Bay Park proposed interpretive signage– Board Action Required: Staff recommends the Board review the revised text and proposed pictures for two historic interpretive signs as shown in Exhibit 2. The location of the signs are shown in Exhibit 3 and are intended to interpret the history of the general area, not necessarily the Jupiter FEC Train Depot (since a museum on the history of the Depot and FEC will be inside the building). The text and photos shown are for discussion purposes andis not the graphic layout proposed for the signs. Staff requests the Board provide input on text and pictures in order to finalize the two signs prior to the Train Depot open house.
5. Staff updates for the following: a. Jupiter FEC Train Depot b. US-1 Bridge Project Development and Environment (PD& E) Study (Exhibit 4) – Cultural Resources Committee kick-off meeting on May 4, 2016 c. Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment – Coastal Management Element Policy 1.9.10 d. Completion of A1A Roadway improvements in the Inlet Village and dedication of Celestial Railroad Florida Historical Marker (July or August). Jupiter Historic Resources Board – Meeting Agenda April 26, 2016 Page 2
6. Board Comments
7. Public Comments
8. Adjourn
Next Meeting: June 20, 2016
Exhibits Exhibit 1 – February 22, 2016 HRB Draft Meeting Minutes Exhibit 2 – Text and photos for the two Sawfish Bay Interpretive Signs Exhibit 3 – Site plan showing locations of the two interpretive signs Exhibit 4 – Florida Department of Transportation US-1 Bridge PD&E Study Newsletter cc: JHRB Members Other Recipients Mr. M. Chris Edwards Thomas Baird, Town Attorney Ms. Debi Murray John Sickler, Director, Planning & Zoning Ms. Patricia C. Walsh Stephanie Thoburn, Asst. Director, Planning & Zoning Mr. Carlos Bonilla Sally Boylan, Town Clerk Ms. Jamie Stuve Richard Procyk, Palm Beach County HRRB Member Ms. Patricia Estabrook Chris Davenport, PBC Archaeologist Mr. Brett Leone Michael Zimny, DOS/Division of Historical Resources Bonnie Dearborn, DOS/BHP Joe Mankowski, Town Archaeological & Historical Consultant
V:\PlanningZoning\Staff\WP51\Historic_Resources\Historic_Resources\Agendas\2016\APR 26th\042616_ JHRB Agenda.doc EXHIBIT 1 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD (JHRB) MEETING MINUTES February 22, 2016
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jamie Stuve at 6:03 PM
Present were: Chairperson Jamie Stuve, Board Members Carlos Bonilla, Chris Edwards, Debi Murray, Patricia Walsh, Don Youatt and Thomas Baird, Town Attorney; Stephanie Thoburn, Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning; Dave Kemp, Principal Planner and Staff Liaison, and Garret Watson, Planner; and Catherine Baglia, Secretary.
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
1. Approval of Agenda:
Board Member Don Youatt moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Vice-Chairperson Debi Murray; motion passed unanimously (6-0).
2. Approval of Minutes: November 16, 2015:
Vice-Chairperson Debi Murray requested that on page 1, item #3, in the first paragraph, that the word “hyphen” be corrected to read “apostrophe”. She also requested that on page 3 in the eighth paragraph that “She also” be corrected to read “Board Mem. Stuve”.
Chairperson Jamie Stuve requested that on page 4, in the second paragraph from the bottom, that the word “dialect” be corrected to read “language”.
Vice-Chairperson Debi Murray moved to approve the minutes as amended; seconded by Board Member Chris Edwards; motion passed unanimously (6-0).
3. Prioritization of Projects for 2016: Mr. Kemp informed the Board that the first two items on the “2015 List of Historic Resources Board Priorities” (Exhibit 2 of the agenda) Short Term Priorities, the local historic designation of the FEC Jupiter Train Depot and the Civic Center Historical Plaque had been completed. He proceeded to read the Staff proposed “2016 List of Historic Resources Board Priorities”. He asked the Board for their comments and suggestions on the “2016 List of Historic Resources Board Staff Recommended Priorities”.
Vice-Chair Murray commented that she was in favor of the short term list. She asked Staff to explain what the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse (including 360 degrees of light beam emanation from the lamp room) was referencing.
Mr. Kemp explained that the light coming out of the lamp room is 360 degrees and that this item would prevent any type of blockage of the light beam coming from the lamp room.
Chair Stuve statedDRAFT that she understood that the beam as it left the lighthouse could not be blocked going out to sea, giving the example of the Ocean Trails condominiums development. She mentioned a past occurrence when some residents had wanted the light beam blocked from going into their windows.
Ms. Thoburn stated that if someone were to try to demolish the lighthouse and it had a local historic designation, they would need to come before the Historic Resources Board for approval. A local historic designation would be another layer of protection. JHRB Meeting Minutes February 22, 2016 Page 2
Board Mem. Edwards stated that he had agreed with Staff’s 2016 Short Term Priorities list.
Chairperson Stuve asked Staff what the Suni Sands Florida Historical Marker would be designating. Mr. Kemp replied that it would interpret the entire Suni Sands property, other than the Sperry boathouse, including the entire Sperry estate, the archeological significance of the property, and the Celestial Railroad wharf that was on the property. He informed the Board that the Celestial Railroad Florida Historical Marker was in storage at the Town, awaiting the completion of the A1A road work. He stated that it hopefully would be installed this year with a dedication ceremony.
Chairperson Stuve suggested combining the Celestial Railroad wharf and the Sperry boathouse. She also suggested adding the Carlin House story to the content of the marker. She asked Staff when Suni Sands Mobile Home Park was established. Mr. Kemp replied that he believed it was established as a mobile home court for campers in the 1940s.
Chairperson Stuve asked Staff when the Clubhouse was built. Ms. Thoburn stated that she believed it was built in the 1950s. Chairperson Stuve suggested including an acknowledgement of the Clubhouse in the marker due to the age of the structure.
Ms. Thoburn stated that the predominant intention of the historical marker was for acknowledging the significant archeological aspect of the property. She added that as part of the Town’s Evaluation and Appraisal Report, Staff was looking into adding the Suni Sands archeological mound to the Town’s Future Land Use Map for the Historically Significant Site Meriting Protection.
Vice-Chair Murray asked Staff the intentions of Riverbend Park. Mr. Kemp replied that the initial intent was to incorporate it as a local historic designation site. He informed the Board that the County has a local historic designation for a portion of the park called the “Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park”. He also mentioned that the portion of the park located in the Town has two Certificates to Dig in place. He explained that any park improvements requiring subsurface disturbances are reviewed by the Town’s archaeological consultant to determine what level of archaeological monitoring is necessary, consistent with the corresponding Certificate to Dig Management Plan.
Ms. Thoburn informed the Board that Town Staff and the Palm Beach County School District have been in discussions about future plans for Jupiter Elementary School. Staff is also assisting them in fostering a partnership with the Loxahatchee Guild.
Board Member Edwards made a motion to approve the “2016 List of Historic Resources Board Staff Recommended Priorities” for the Short Term and Long Term Priorities lists with the inclusion of the suggested Board comments. Board Member Carlos Bonilla seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously (6-0).
Bonilla Edwards Murray Stuve Walsh Youatt Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
4. Sawfish Bay Park DRAFTproposed interpretive signage for Sawfish Bay Area: Mr. Kemp shared a presentation (Exhibit 3 of the agenda) with the Board on the Sawfish Bay Park Interpretive signage. He informed the Board that the presentation had included updates and additional photographs, which came from the Board’s input at the previous Historical Resources Board meeting. He read the updated text for each of the two signs. He mentioned that Staff was unable to find more information on how one of the USS Maine lifeboats made its way to Jupiter from Key West. Mr. Kemp stated that staff from the National Archives had mentioned to him that a portion of the logs had been digitized. The research for this would include going up to the National Archives JHRB Meeting Minutes February 22, 2016 Page 3 in Atlanta, Georgia or Fort Worth, Texas and reviewing four or five years of documents. Another option would be for them to copy everything onto a CD ROM at a cost of $400.00, which would include everything up to about 1902.
Chairperson Stuve commented that she thought the text language should be more reader friendly. She questioned Staff on the “Ancient Peoples moved seasonally” text, stating that people inhabited the area for centuries.
Mr. Kemp informed the Board that he had added additional information on the school boat and information on “Doc” Blanchard, the second school Boat pilot. He shared additional photographs he had found with the Board.
Chairperson Stuve opined that the photographs depicted a strong cultural bias and she questioned the authenticity. She and Vice-Chair Murray suggested Staff contact artist, Mr. Ted Morris about the photos. Vice-Chair Murray told Mr. Kemp she would forward Mr. Morris’ contact information to him.
Vice-Chair Murray stated that the Seminole Indians had never called themselves “Chiefs”.
Mr. Kemp updated the Board on finding the names of the school children in the photo of them standing under the Cabot Oak tree. He stated that he did have the names of the two teachers, Mary Jackson and Lucy Hepburn. He noted that they did not find the names of the specific children, but did have the pioneer family’s names. Chairperson Stuve informed Staff that Josh Liller, Historian and Collections Manager with the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, had found more information on the names of the children. Mr. Kemp stated that he would check with Mr. Liller on his findings.
Chairperson Stuve asked Staff to include the information during the outbreak of the Spanish American war when the USS Oregon war ship anchored off the Jupiter Inlet to utilize their telegraphs. She emphasized the historic significance of that day in Jupiter. Mr. Kemp agreed with Chairperson Stuve to include the information and he noted that at that time, the USS Oregon was also the largest warship in the world.
Mr. Kemp asked the Board their opinion on whether to keep the U.S. Naval Station at Key West Log Entry with the photo of the USS Maine which included the two life boats. The Board agreed to keep the photo and log entry.
Mr. Kemp informed the Board that, per their request, staff had extended the time period up to the 1970s to incorporate the Jupiter Marina on the second interpretive sign. He also stated that Staff had included information on the African Americans involvement with the Flagler Railroad.
Chairperson Stuve mentioned that there was some information in the book the “Loxahatchee Lament”, which included text from some of the people who worked on the railroad. Mr. Kemp stated that he would research the book for the information.
Board Mem. Edwards asked Staff the name of the historic restaurant that was in the Sawfish Bay area. Chairperson Stuve stated that she believed it was called the “Jupiter Marina” restaurant. Mr. Kemp replied that heDRAFT was still researching the name. Vice-Chair Murray stated that she would also research the name.
Mr. Kemp informed the Board that Lidberg Land Surveying will be superimposing the FEC Jupiter Survey (May 1913) over an aerial of the 1940s. He stated that they have agreed to donate their services for the project, estimated at $650.00, as a public service contribution towards the Town’s Historic Preservation Documentation. He added that they anticipated having the project completed in the next week. JHRB Meeting Minutes February 22, 2016 Page 4
Board Mem. Bonilla asked Staff when the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse was built. Vice-Chair Murray replied that it was built in 1860. Board Mem. Bonilla suggested adding some text on the lighthouse and how it related to the area.
Chairperson Stuve suggested adding some text related to transportation and how the area was originally a boating community in which the lighthouse was utilized by Mariners. She suggested including when the steam engine was invented and people were able to travel by the railroad.
Mr. Kemp stated that there was another marker for the “Daughters of the American Revolution” in the northern part of Sawfish Bay Park. He stated that the marker contained text on the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, and also for Jupiter. He mentioned that the size of the interpretive signs would be approximately eight feet long by five to six feet wide. He stated that Staff was hoping to have the signs completed by the end of April 2016 for the opening of the Jupiter FEC Train Depot.
Chairperson Stuve suggested that Staff contact Vicki Silver, former Historic Resources Board member for creating the script for the interpretive signs. Ms. Thoburn stated that the Town’s Graphic’s department would be designing the layout of the signs.
Mr. Kemp showed the Board some pictures he found of the Jupiter Marina (1950s – 1970s). Chairperson Stuve said she would forward Mr. Kemp some pictures that she had of the Jupiter Marina.
5. Staff updates for the following: a. Jupiter FEC Train Depot: Mr. Kemp informed the Board that Staff had provided the Town Manager’s office a list and cost of the items that need to be completed for the opening of the Train Depot. He stated that he will be sending out bids for the interior and exterior electrical work. The exterior electrical box will be located on a concrete pole in the vicinity of where the temporary power is now located near Alternate A1A. The electrical lines will be run under the ground to the bottom southeast corner of the Train Depot and be located behind the future partition wall. Approximately five interior lights will hang from the top rafters on five foot poles to illuminate the interior. The exterior LED lights will be located on the railing of the deck about 30 inches off the ground and spaced to cover the entire railing. The sidewalks should be completed by the Town’s Engineering Department in the very near future. This will include utilizing the bricks from the original Train Depot. The tentative work completion date will be the end of April 2016.
Ms. Thoburn informed the Board that Staff has been coordinating the work with the Loxahatchee Guild. She mentioned that they have shown interest in funding the interior museum. She noted that the Board would also be involved in the design and other aspects of the museum.
b. US-1 Bridge Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study (Exhibit 5 of the agenda): Mr. Kemp informed the Board that he had met with staff from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and their project consultant Kimley-Horn. They will be putting together a Cultural ResourcesDRAFT Committee over the next month or two. The committee will consist of an assimilation of stakeholders interested in preserving nearby cultural archeological and historical resources.
Chairperson Stuve informed Staff and the Board that Josh Liller, Historian and Collections Manager with the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, had attended the US-1 Bridge PD&E Study kick-off meeting.
JHRB Meeting Minutes February 22, 2016 Page 5
Mr. Kemp asked if any Board members would be interested in being on the committee. Chairperson Stuve expressed interest in being on the committee. Mr. Kemp stated that Town staff would likely consist of himself and Thomas Driscoll, Director of Engineering Parks and Public Works. Vice-Chair Murray also showed interest in being on the committee.
Board Mem. Bonilla asked Staff if they were considering demolishing the bridge. He also expressed interest in being involved with the committee. Mr. Kemp replied that the intent of the proposed PD&E Study was to evaluate US-1 Bridge replacement alternatives, in order to resolve the structural deficient conditions of the existing bridge.
Ms. Thoburn informed the Board that the US-1 Federal Highway Bridge was scheduled to be upgraded to include sidewalks and bicycle lanes, but upon an assessment of the bridge last year, it was determined that it was not feasible to add these amenities to the existing bridge.
c. Suni Sands: Mr. Kemp stated that the Town was still working with the property owner to remove and secure portions of the condemned Sperry Boathouse.
Mr. Kemp informed the Board that there had been additional reports of unauthorized subsurface disturbances on the Suni Sands property since the last Historical Resources Board meeting on November 16, 2016. The disturbances were related to removing electrical conduits, carport debris, and the burying of cables. These activities are related to the proposed closing of the mobile home park. Town Staff was notified of the subsurface disturbances via phone calls or emails by concerned residents. Mr. Kemp explained to the Board that Town Staff immediately investigates the allegations, and if needed, notifies the property owner of the incidents.
After the first incident of digging reported by a resident on December 8, 2015, Staff created enhanced guidelines for the property owner pertaining to the future removal of mobile homes. Mr. Kemp explained the process by which the property owner’s archaeological consultant must be on-site when a mobile home is removed, or the Town’s Building Department will issue a “stop work” order. At the recommendation from the Town, the property owner installed “No Digging” signs at all entrances to the mobile home park on January 26, 2016. The Town also recommended to the property owner to notify all of its vendors who access the property and inform them that they need to clear it with the management company before entering the property.
Chairperson Stuve asked Staff how many of the mobile home residents still resided at the park. Mr. Kemp replied that approximately half of the mobile homes in the park are occupied.
Chairperson Stuve expressed concern over the possibility of subsurface disturbances occurring on the property once the residents have moved and the park is closed. Mr. Kemp stated that there were no current development applications on the properties. He added that if one were to be submitted, the applicant would be required to submit a Certificate to Dig application. DRAFT 6. Board Comments: Board Mem. Bonilla provided Staff with a copy of the Mediterranean Ft. Pierce Activity Book which he had spoken about at the last Historic Resources Board meeting. Mr. Kemp stated that he would email a PDF of the book to the Board.
Various Board Members commended Staff on their work involving the Historic Resources Board.
JHRB Meeting Minutes February 22, 2016 Page 6
8. Public Comments: There were none.
ADJOURN: Chairperson Jamie Stuve adjourned the meeting at 7:03 PM
The next Jupiter Historic Resources Board Meeting will be on March 21, 2016.
______Catherine Baglia, Secretary Jamie Stuve, Chairperson
V:\PlanningZoning\Staff\WP51\MINUTES & SYNOPSIS\JHRB\2016\FEB22nd\022216_DRAFT_JHRB Minutes.doc
DRAFT •The early pioneers of Jupiter relied heavily on boating as the •The area surrounding the river and inlet was first inhabited by Ancient Native primary means of transportation. The rivers and inlet were the Tribes in pre-historic times as far back as 3000 B.C. roads of the time, and the lighthouse was the beacon for travelers. •The Jobe Tribe (a subgroup of the Jaega Tribe) was known to live along the •The invention of the steam locomotive engine in the U.S. (1830) Loxahatchee River and Jupiter Inlet from 750 B.C. to 1750 A.D. began a new era of travel in the Town with construction of the •These Ancient Native tribes relied on shellfish, fishing, hunting as well as plants Celestial Railroad in the 1880’s. that they gathered around the area. • When Henry Flagler began building the Florida East Coast railroad in 1892 along the coast of Florida he reached Jupiter by early 1894, •Where you are standing, the Jobe Tribe created a large archeological mound where it exists today, directly west of this property. This occurrence made of shells and bones. spurred the development of West Jupiter moving the center of Town •A sand-tempered plain pottery shard dating from 750 B.C. to 800 A.D. was from the area south of the Jupiter Inlet. recovered in 2004 on Sawfish Bay Park during an archeological excavation. •In 1894, Fred Mortimer Cabot II and his wife Eliza acquired property •The Jobe were thought to trade with other northern tribes, as many southeast of the first FEC Train Depot and built the Cabot House, a archeological sites in the area contained flint, or chert, which is not found in commodious house, or hotel. It was located just east of the FEC •Killed in a railroad accident in 1896, Mr. Cabot was buried Florida. Train Depot; it burned down in 1903. next to the giant oak tree that still marks the property •The Jaega and Jobe lived in the area when Spanish sailors under Ponce de León •Mr. Cabot removed all of the then existing archeological mound by and is known as the “Cabot Oak.” His remains were began to explore the region in the early 1500’s. scraping the material and loading it onto the train, where the shell moved to Jupiter Cemetery in 1908, now known as •These Ancient Native Tribes and their culture were decimated by disease when was used to build roads in West Palm Beach County. Riverside Memorial Park.
European explorers came to Florida in search of gold. •Later, the Cabot Family donated a lot with a new building to the Dade County Board of Instruction for the first school in Jupiter (from 1901-1911). At that time, Jupiter was in Dade County until Palm Beach County was •It was founded on April 9, 1909. sometime in •The first Jupiter School house was later replaced with a the 1800’s that new school built on Town Hall Avenue in 1911. these Seminoles gave the Loxahatchee River its name, •The USS Oregon’s 66-day, 14,700 mile voyage to Cuba around which means the tip of South America Started on March 19, 1898 in San “River of Francisco. Turtles.” •The USS Oregon was one of the largest battleships in the world at that time; weighing 12,000 tons with heavy armor, big guns and a crew of nearly 500. •Jonathan Dickinson and the crew of the Reformation ran aground near the •To stay hidden from the Spanish fleet, the USS Oregon Jupiter Inlet in October 1696 after a dangerous storm. The Jaega looted the transmitted no signals that might reveal her location to the ship and took valuables from the survivors, then fed them a meal of fish Spaniards or as it turns out, to the Americans either. and oysters. After a few days, the natives allowed the survivors to travel •For weeks beginning in the spring of 1898, rumors had northwards on foot to Saint Augustine. persisted that the Spanish fleet might come up from Cuba and •By the mid 1700’s, remnant populations of Creek and Yamassee Indians try to shell the towns along the southeast Florida coast. from the Carolinas had migrated to Florida to escape the continuous •On May 24, 1898, just before sundown, a monster of a battleship steamed in closer and closer and dropped anchor conflict with Europeans and later Americans. They banded together with •As the river was the road of the day, children were just off the Jupiter Inlet shore. native tribes, runaway slaves and became what is now the Seminole Tribe. transported to school by boat. •The ship carried no flags and did not respond to hails from the •The school boat was called “The Maine” in honor of the Jupiter Inlet signal station and weather bureau. battleship USS Maine, which exploded in Havana Harbor •The Seminole Wars took place between 1816 and 1858. By the end, the •The residents of the Jupiter area became uneasy and men on February 15, 1898 igniting the Spanish American War, majority of the remaining tribes were forced to move to Oklahoma while gathered their firearms and assembled on the south bank of and was thought to be a lifeboat from the USS Maine. around a hundred Seminoles remained in the Everglades. A few of these the Loxahatchee River near the telegraph station. •The 30’ school boat was first run by Dr. Charles Jackson, a remaining Seminoles established a semi-permanent camp to the west of •A boat was lowered from the ship and it was not until it was homesteader on the Loxahatchee River, who was also the Jupiter in current day Indiantown. very close to shore that the residents could see the soldiers school’s teacher. •By 1860, relations between the Seminoles and the early settlers of Jupiter faces and recognized their uniforms. They were U.S. sailors and •Dr. Jackson also ran the school boat to take African were friendly. The major difficulty was communication since neither the ship was the USS Oregon. American children to a separate school further west group spoke nor understood the other's language very well. The “near the old Hepburn place”. Seminoles were known to often camp near Center Street, close to the •After Dr. Jackson moved to Miami, the school Boat was area where you are standing, where they visited with the Lighthouse piloted by “Doc” Blanchard. Keeper’s family and traded with the locals. •Doc first picked up the upriver children and dropped •They would bring hides, fish, venison, and beadwork that they would them off and then cruised farther east to pick up the trade for nails, flour, salt, and cotton among other goods. children that lived near the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the Jupiter Inlet. •It is believed the area came to be called “Sawfish Bay” because •Doc ran a happy ship, allowing the older boys to troll for of the considerable amount of sawfish in the bay at that time. fish on the way to school.
•When Will Bostick was ten years old, he ran away from •In 1894, Henry Flagler had built his Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad through Jupiter on the west side of the home in Silver Springs and took a steamboat south to Intracoastal Waterway and built a small train depot. Jupiter. He was looking for work west of Jupiter when •Flagler also built a spur track, warehouse and wharf on the northeast portion of what is now Sawfish Bay Park. he happened across a Seminole camp. Initially afraid •This area served to off-load railroad cars and construction materials for Flagler’s FEC railroad extension south to that they were planning to eat him, Will ended up living Key West and his hotels. with the Seminoles until 1894, when he decided to go •The railroad moved the center of commerce from the south side of the Jupiter Inlet to this area, which was known back home. One year later, Will returned to Jupiter with as Neptune and West Jupiter. his wife Fanny and his daughter Josephine. The family •West Jupiter also included stores and warehouses that were built mostly on pilings so they could be accessed by lived in a house built by the FEC in Suni Sands while the •Buildings that once existed on what is now the Sawfish boat. young couple worked at the Carlin House. Bay Park were the Whidden and Doster stores and the •“Old Daddy” Adam Bryant was a big, kind man standing Wayside Inn. •In the late 1800s, the area where you are standing became a water/rail multi-modal transportation hub. over 6 feet tall. An ex-slave who came to Jupiter in the •A prominent building was the Bower’s general store, 1890s , he worked for Henry Flagler laying cross ties for founded by local pioneer named E. Frank Bowers, who the railroad tracks. Around 1896, as the railroad neared first ran a trading post in Indiantown. Trading with the completion, he began working as a handyman at the Seminoles continued at the general store. Carlin House. • A U.S. Post Office was located on the northern end of the •Victoria Ash moved to Jupiter with her husband in 1930 Bower’s store. and lived on Anchorage Point. She found work at Mr. •The first Jupiter Town Hall was a back room of the Wilkinson’s fernery and her husband started working Bower’s store. for the FEC Railroad company. Later, they moved to FEC owned housing in Suni Sands. •Just to the north of the Bower’s general store stood the Jupiter Hotel.
•African Americans from the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and Alabama were attracted to work on construction of the railroad and associated buildings and worked directly on the trains. African American villages were settled in •The building that served as the Jupiter South Florida along the FEC railroad and Limestone Creek during this time. school from 1901-1911 became the home •Pioneer African Americans like Lewis Moseley (L.M.) Davis walked to Jupiter from Bainbridge, Georgia in the late of Ida Ziegler. 1800’s. He worked for the FEC Railroad and homesteaded 160 acres in Limestone Creek raising seven children with •Her son John Ziegler would become the his wife Mary. The family like others in Limestone Creek would walk four miles from their homes in West Jupiter Town’s first Mayor in 1925, so the home for supplies. was called the “Mayor’s House” for a time. •In the late 1940s, a gas station opened in the area and evolved into a marina known as “Jupiter Marina.” •Local fisherman came into the marina to purchase fuel, ice and bait. These fishermen sold their catches and ate at the restaurant on the site until the 1970s. Sawfish Bay Park Interpretive Signage Proposed Locations
SR 5/US-1 Federal Highway Bridge
From CR-A1A to Beach Road Palm Beach County, Florida Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study
Financial Project ID 428400-2-22-02 ETDM# 14199
January, 2016 NEWSLETTER
PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project Location Map and Meeting Location The SR 5/US-1 Federal Highway Bridge is a low-level bascule bridge End Project originally constructed in 1958 and located in the Town of Jupiter, 707 811 Beach Rd Palm Beach County. It spans over the Loxahatchee River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) connecting communities within the Town of Jupiter to the south and the Village of Tequesta Not to scale to the north. 1 5/US SR Loxahatchee River 1 Loxahatchee River The September 2014 bridge inspection showed the bridge was structurally deficient justifying replacement for the following reasons: Alternate A1A
• The overall fitness of the bridge scored only slightly above an Begin Project “unsatisfactory” rating
• The corrosive condition of the bridge deck received a “poor” rating A1A The existing bridge is expected to deteriorate further as it operates beyond its original 50 year service life. Coupled with the corrosive MEETING LOCATION Jupiter Community Center environment continuing to degrade the bridge, if not replaced, it will A1A Alternate 200 Military Trail require costly repairs. Jupiter, Florida 33458 1 Indiantown Rd. The vertical clearance between mean high water (MHW) and the 706 bottom of the superstructure of the existing bridge is 25 feet which meets the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) 21-foot vertical clearance requirement. The existing horizontal clearance does Trail not meet the USCG 125-foot Military requirement, with only 80 feet clearance between fenders.
The current bridge is functionally deficient because it lacks bicycle and pedestrian accommodations which is a concern as pedestrians and bicyclists cross the bridge. Based on various studies conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) over the last several years, project stakeholders including the Town of Jupiter and the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) expressed the need to provide dedicated facilities for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Based on the bridge inspection and engineering evaluation it is not feasible to add these facilities to the existing bridge structure.
OBJECTIVES This PD&E Study will evaluate the environmental and engineering aspects of the proposed improvements to the SR 5/US-1 Federal Highway Bridge. All elements of this study will comply with the National Envi- ronmental Policy Act (NEPA). Public involvement activities throughout the study will be considered in the development of the design alternatives. The bridge replacement alternatives being studied will address the structural and functional deficiencies of the existing moveable bascule bridge, improve traffic operation, and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETING The Public Kick-Off Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2016 will begin as an open house at 5:30 p.m. with a formal presen- tation at 6:00 p.m. Members of the public may provide verbal comments and submit written comments at the meeting or by contacting Ms. Vanita Saini, P.E., Consultant Project Manager (contact information below). She may also be contacted by persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) at least seven (7) days prior to the Public Kick-Off Meeting.
COMMUNITY COORDINATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Communicating project-related information to inter- ested people, groups, and government organizations ACTIVITY 2015 2016 2017 will occur through newsletters, the project website, Begin Study public information meetings, inquiries made by the public, and at the Public Hearing. Public Kick-off Meeting Newsletters will be mailed to state and local officials, Public Input all interested people, and all property owners within the project limits, in accordance with Florida Statutes Develop Build Alternatives Section 339.155(5)(c). The project website www.jupiterus1bridge.com Alternatives Public Meeting provides information regarding current project status, Public Hearing upcoming events, frequently asked questions, and No-Build and Build Alternatives Presented comment forms. Study Complete/Location Design Concept Acceptance Please see the Project Schedule at right for more The preliminary schedule for the SR 5 / US-1 Federal Highway Bridge PD&E Study is subject to change as the project progresses. information.
FUTURE PUBLIC MEETINGS The next newsletter will be mailed prior to the Alternatives Public Meeting which is tentatively scheduled for the Fall of 2016.
To obtain project information, be added to the mailing list, request PUBLIC KICK-OFF information, or arrange a group meeting, please contact: MEETING FDOT Project Manager: Ms. Vanita Saini, P.E. February 17, 2016 FDOT District Four 3400 West Commercial Boulevard • Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-3421 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Ph: (954) 777-4468 • Toll Free (866) 336-8435, extension 4468 [email protected] Jupiter Community Center Project website: 200 Military Trail http://www.JupiterUS1Bridge.com Jupiter, Florida 33458
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. over