lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

Most people can’t imagine Pensacola Beach without its trademark “beach ball” painted water tower looming over Casino Beach.

Neither can the members of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, who voted Wednesday to keep the landmark although it’s not being used for water any longer.

Board member Jimmie Perkins recalls seeing the water tower when he and his family came to Pensacola Beach.

Sand sifters take debris out of the sand, then replace the sand onto the beach.

“When we would see it, we knew we were on Pensacola Beach. To take it down is unthinkable.”

McGuire Martin lamented the 12 parking spaces the structure occupies, but the panel agreed to keep the water tower as a symbol of Pensacola Beach.

Maintenance on the structure will run approximately $13,000-$14,000 per year and the SRIA will have responsibility for repainting it as needed. The other tower on the east end of the beach will be removed.

In other business, the SRIA:

• Voted to recognize the contributions of former SRIA member Don Ayres. Ayres was instrumental in establishing a safety director position on the beach to stem the number of drownings.

• Discussed the “elevator clause” in 3,495 leases that tied to the Consumer Price Index. The board voted to hold a public hearing on the matter right away since this will affect the SRIA budget. The public hearing was held Wednesday, March 9.

• Heard an update about recovery from Hurricane Ivan. Sand recovery is complete; scraping is 73 percent complete; berm building is 15 percent complete; and sand screening is 35 percent complete. Quietwater pier is out for bid and widening Via de Luna will begin as soon as debris is removed.

• Discussed the interview process for replacing SRIA General Manager Monte Blews, who is retiring May 31.

• Agreed to accept $620,000 from the Florida the Department of Environmental Protection to enhance a FEMA funded recovery program replenishing Pensacola Beach sand. Approximately 1 million cubic yards of sand have been reclaimed since Hurricane Ivan.

• Heard that the longest fishing pier in the Gulf of Mexico is fully repaired, and lights are coming.