Today, I wrote to Senator Bill Nelson after reaching out to his office staff for direction. His office asked for a summary of the situation.

The city of Madeira Beach is proposing, with two developers, two massive projects; two 11 story hotels, dozens of condos, 50,000 sq. ft. retail space, boat slips and dockmaster house on two small waterfront parcels. The CW Young VA facility sits about one mile east of the Tom Stuart drawbridge. These proposed projects are just across the bridge. It is already dangerously congested. The veterans, patients and staff will have a difficult time with egress and ingress. Emergency vehicles and Storm evacuation is a concern. The residents living on the west side of the bridge have a difficult time exiting their communities and that will be exacerbated if these massive proposals go through as planned. This is our only entrance and exit to our little town. The City Manager has publically (sic) warned us to be careful what we wish for because we can get a Walmart, Bass World or Adult Entertainment instead. The City Manager, the Mayor and Board have refused to give credence to our issues. We retained counsel and submitted a letter requesting a referendum, the City kicked it back on a “technicality”. We have a feeling of helplessness.

Senator Nelson, I recognize that you are passionate about veterans, seniors and about our fragile environment. I would like you to get the attention of our City Manager, Shane Crawford and our Mayor, Travis Palladeno who seem very motivated to please the two developers and who have taken an adversarial position against any residents who object to the size, scope and impact of this project. The media is already calling it “a done deal”. The vote to rezone is June 14. Please help us.