In the Know: Collier replacing Irma-damaged wall on Vanderbilt

Q: Is there any information on who is responsible for the broken fencing on the south side of Vanderbilt Beach Road between Goodlette-Frank and Airport-Pulling? It was severely damaged from Irma and looks like no replacement has occurred yet. Is this fence the responsibility of the property owners or Collier County?

— Burton Hirsch, North Naples

A: That damaged divider in the right-of-way on Vanderbilt Beach Road is the responsibility of the county, which has plans to replace it soon.

The wall of concrete slats has been an eyesore since heavy winds from Hurricane Irma knocked out sections of it last fall. Most passers-by have assumed it was the responsibility of the Villages of Monterey off Orange Blossom Drive because the wall separates the back of the residential community from Vanderbilt Beach Road.

Collier County Commissioner Andy Solis, whose North Naples district includes that stretch, has been contacted by many people asking about this damage that occurred 13 months ago. Solis addressed the issue as part of an Oct. 4 newsletter his office emailed to constituents.

“Whether you live in Monterey or Pelican Marsh or just drive on Vanderbilt Beach Road, the wall there has been a visible reminder of Irma's wrath,” he said. “We finally have a firm schedule for the replacement.”

Construction is scheduled to start this month and be completed by Jan. 10, the newsletter reports.

“This wall is going to have to come down. It’s too damaged to repair,” said Angela Goodner, executive coordinator for Solis.

The new wall will not be identical to the prominent one it is replacing, Goodner said.

On Sept. 25, county commissioners approved a contract with Wright Construction Group of south Fort Myers for $616,735.77 to replace the wall with one estimated to have a 30-year lifespan with minimal to no repair costs during that time, according to meeting minutes.

“At this point staff has advised that they are waiting on a purchase order before a notice to proceed can be issued and the work can then be started,” emailed Connie Deane, a community liaison for the county’s Growth Management Department.

“This is one of the most visible remaining signs of Irma damage in our North Naples neighborhood, and I know we will all celebrate when this repair is complete,” Solis wrote in his newsletter.

Neil Dorrill of Dorrill Management Group, the property manager for Monterey’s master owners’ association and Pelican Marsh on the north side of Vanderbilt, had to replace identical faux wood, precast stamped concrete panels damaged by Irma in Pelican Marsh for about $50 per linear foot, he said.

Monterey has its own smaller masonry wall at least 30 feet behind the wall that was damaged in the storm.

Have a local question? Email it with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com. Tim Aten’s "In the Know" is published every Monday and Wednesday. Follow In the Know on Facebook now at facebook.com/timaten.intheknow.

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