Update on Villa de Marco

Challenges are part of everyday life. Through collaborative actions, reasonable expectations, patience and perseverance, most challenges can be brought to a successful conclusion. The impact of Hurricane Irma left Marco Island and its residents with several challenges that required that very approach.

The owners, board of directors and staff of Villa de Marco West would face some of the most serious of challenges since Hurricane Irma tore through Marco Island. However, they have been nothing less than a textbook example of how the serious issues they faced could be handled in an effective and professional manner.

One of the first issues they had to deal with came with some of the disinformation and lack of understanding concerning their situation. To their credit, they proceeded in a deliberate and methodical evaluation of the situation with the assistance of experts, those with solid experience in marine construction. This would give them a solid foundation from which to proceed to address the loss of the material from under one of their buildings which abuts the intersection of Collier Creek and the Marco River.

Building Remained Structurally Sound

Once the storm surge and subsequent tides pulled the earthen material from under the building and from the inward side of the seawall there was nothing to hold the wall and it collapsed inward. The building itself was absolutely stable, as it sits on pilings. A ride up to Park Shore Drive in Naples and west to Gulf Shore Boulevard will demonstrate similar buildings built on pilings.

Temporary electric to energize air conditioning and de-humidifiers have prevented any issues with mold. However, due to the loss of the earthen material under the building the other utilities, such as water and sewer, are not available.

Collier Creek Intersection with Marco River

This intersection of waterways is one of the most important on Marco, as approximately 30% of all marine traffic passes through there. Securing that waterway and educating mariners of the importance of maintaining appropriate discipline while passing in that area extremely important.

Gary McAlpin, the Director of the Collier County Coastal Zone Management became an invaluable partner insuring the waterway was dealt with on a priority basis due to the economic vitality of the marine industry on Marco and the necessary work to be done at Villa de Marco West.

McAlpin insured the dredging of that area became a priority to insure boaters traversing that segment of the waters around Marco would remain safe.

New Seawall Completed

A new seawall at Villa DeMarco West was required after the old wall collapsed inward due to the loss of the earthen material from under the “point-building,” which at present is not inhabitable, but whose interior environment is being maintained with temporary electrical services.

Kelly Brothers Marine Contractors from Fort Myers was contracted to install a new interlocking cantilever seawall. The wall consists of specially coated steel sheets which range from 47 feet to 53 feet long. It will have a 4-foot-wide by 2-foot-high cement cap poured on top. A special matted material will be installed at the bottom of the sea-wall which will provide anti-scouring protection at the base.

That wall has now been installed along the property and Kelly Brothers are proceeding to replace the earthen material that was lost under the building and on the inside of the sea-wall; 7,000 cubic yards of material will be transferred to under that point building.

Once that has been completed, then utilities such as water/sewer, electric, cable and other services will be able to be reinstalled.

Condo Association is Strong

“Our owners here have been extremely cooperative and understanding. They understand the magnitude of what we’ve been dealing with,” said Ben Farnsworth, the Board President.

“The cooperation we’ve received from everyone has just been fantastic,” Farnsworth added.

No firm date for completion of the project has been given, but Farnsworth is confident that everything is being done to accomplish that in the least amount of time.