SRIA OKs wheel with hatchling-friendly LED lights

And, after promising to take steps to protect turtles, developers who want to erect an 18- story observation wheel on Pensacola Beach got the green light from the Santa Rosa Island Authority to move ahead with the approval process.

Al Mers Jr. and Todd Schneider of St. Louisbased Expo 60 Venture have applied to sublease land at 5 Via De Luna on the lot beside Soundside Market for the $10 million project, which they are calling 360 Pensacola Beach.

A study commissioned by the developers says that the proposed lighting, which features LED and stadium designs, will not disturb nesting sea turtles.

But two speakers at the March 14 meeting voiced their concerns.

Daniel R. Brown, superintendent of Gulf Islands National Seashore, said there are four types of sea turtles that nest on area beaches and all of them are either threatened or endangered. He said volunteers routinely go out at night to help hatchlings disoriented by the lights find their way to the water.

"Hatchlings head toward lighted areas," he said.

He urged the developers to consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife experts about how to minimize impact to the turtles.

J.J. Waters of PBA Beachkeepers said she was pleased with the outcome of a meeting she had with developers regarding the lighting issue.

"They want to be eco-friendly," she said.

Waters said developers have agreed to turn off the stadium lighting at 10 p.m. during turtle hatching season and to work with the group when turtles are found. Turtles nest on the island from May through August, and the babies hatch from mid-July to the end of October.

"We really don't have any issues from this point forward," Waters said.

Schneider also agreed to report back to the SRIA on the lighting issue one year after opening.

Island Authority Executive Director W. A. "Buck" Lee is pushing for a quick approval of the project. The developers are hoping to open the giant wheel on May 24, but the project must still win approval from the Escambia County Development Review Committee.

Maureen LaMar, executive director of Pensacola Beach Visitor Information Center, delivered some positive news. She said the center logged 2,156 total visitors in February.

"That is up about 1,000 from last year," she said.

She credited the American Express gift card program for helping bring visitors to the beach.

She said the top five states represented were Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Michigan and Georgia and the top three countries represented were Canada, Germany and England.