News Briefs

+ St. Armands access point temporarily closes
Access to South Boulevard of the Presidents from South Washington Drive on St. Armands Key will close for approximately two weeks starting Wednesday, May 30, as city contractors begin drilling a 14-inch sewer force main from the intersection to Jackson Drive and Van Buren Place. Signs will be placed along the detour route. Driveway access will remain open.

+ Longboat Key makes groin modifications
The town completed an adjustment project in May that increased the permeability of its Islander Club groins. An annual monitoring report found that the groins resulted in an increase in sand to the north and a decrease to the south.

The report suggested that the adjustment was needed because of the receding shoreline south of the groins but will not affect storm protection, according to a Friday, May 25 memo.

+ Town Commission approves alcohol sales
After the Longboat Key Town Commission received assurance at its Thursday, May 24 workshop that controls of alcoholic beverage sales would be in place, it approved the sale of wine and beer at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer said most sales would be to patrons who have just finished a match and want to enjoy a drink from the viewing area.
“We have a responsible staff,” Thayer said. “Obviously, if someone were to come in and order six beers, we’re not going to let that happen.”

Meetings & Agendas
• Town Commission regular meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, June 4
• Commission budget workshop — 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 6
• Code Enforcement Board meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, June 11

WEEKLY PUBLIX PROGRESS REPORT
The Longboat Observer got a different perspective on the construction of Publix and CVS when a pair of Islands West residents allowed us to get a bird’s-eye view from their unit.

The progress on the project is evident: The walls of the new Publix continue to rise higher each day, and the roof of CVS is in place.

Adding to the palpable excitement surrounding the construction is a new sign that bears the Publix logo and the words “Coming Soon.”