Over the past two months, a few residents have asked why their tax dollars were spent on building a parking lot at Fisherman’s Landing. They argued on social media that it was a waste of taxpayer money for a parking lot they cannot use.

When Mayor Ed Dodd heard about it, he took to social media and offered to meet with them and answer their questions. Unfortunately, they ignored his request and suggested the city had something to hide as they would not answer questions online.

Social media has never been a platform for city officials to comment. However, residents can get their questions answered by sending an email, making a phone call, or going to city council meetings.

Lisa Frazier, Director of Community Development for the City of Sebastian, made the presentation at the meeting.

Fisherman’s Landing is a working waterfront that has secured funding from Stan Mayfield at the water’s edge program administered by the Florida Communities Trust (FCT).

Frazier said the property containing the Crab E Bills and the new parking area is a loading / unloading area for fishermen.

“We purchased this property from 2009-2010 with funding from the Florida Community Trust for their Stan Mayfield waterfront work program. It was specifically purchased as a functional waterfront, ”said Frazier.

“Additionally, the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) has provided significant funding to the city for many of the improvements you find on this property,” added Frazier.

The property itself protects and promotes commercial fishing by providing dockage to licensed commercial fishing vessels. In addition, the area near the new parking lot is a loading area for packing and shipping freshly caught seafood and aquaculture products. Commercial fishermen rent out the property and the loading area, and it has been that way from day one.

The aim is to rebuild the historic fishing house, which will once again serve the region with seafood / aquaculture. It is also used to showcase local seafood at the Crab E. Bills Fish Market / Restaurant.

“Our city was founded on commercial fishing; we want to support this industry. It is one of our economic drivers. We are very lucky and fortunate to have this property, and we have two very well known distributors working in this facility, ”Frazier said at the meeting.

The City of Sebastian provides an annual income report to the FCT as part of the management plan.

Read it Fisherman’s Landing Working Waterfront PDF file that explains everything about the project for more information.

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