Land bureau releases plans for Jupiter lighthouse property
Correction: A previous version of this story mischaracterized the land bureau‘s stance on requests from businesses and charities to change the color of the lighthouse’s spotlights.
JUPITER — After months of reviewing options, the U.S. Bureau of Management published its infrastructure plan for the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse late Friday afternoon.
The bureau, which manages the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area alongside local partners according to an act of Congress, made various decisions on what to do with the old Coast Guard buildings and other features on the site‘s 120 acres.
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Among other plans, the bureau intends to:
– Demolish at least two old Coast Guard barracks, one of which will allow for the future construction of a replica of the Weather Bureau building destroyed in 1928‘s Okeechobee Hurricane.
– Invite “eligible partners” to apply for temporary use of four old housing units. If the BLM determines there are no suitable applicants, the agency will demolish the buildings.
– Renovate one housing unit for public restrooms.
– Take apart the Loxahatchee River dock. The BLM may consider installing a replacement.
– Prevent changing the color of the lighthouse‘s spotlights upon request.
– Install a pedestrian crosswalk on Beach Road.
>> RELATED: Destruction at Jupiter lighthouse shoreline could restrict access, close trail segment
But first, the land bureau plans to move a chunk of trail just north of the lighthouse closer inland, said Peter De Witt, program manager for the natural area.
That work should start next week and finish in two weeks, De Witt said.
The crest of a sand dune along the natural area‘s Indian River shoreline has crept increasingly closer to the trail. Man-made havoc and other factors have contributed to its erosion, the BLM has said.
The BLM site plan issued Friday makes little mention of what to do about the dune, but Mayor Todd Wodraska said that‘s one issue he’s closely watching. He met with the bureau last week.
The Indian River shoreline has long been a popular hangout spot for locals, but the BLM has reported a recent rash of misbehavior there. The agency says it‘s intensifying erosion and is a safety concern.
“That‘s obviously going to be the biggest, most highly scrutinized or discussed topic,” Wodraska said.
Smaller additions like installing benches and kiosks could be rolled out in the coming months, while others — specifically the Weather Bureau project — could happen years from now, De Witt said.
“What we're trying to do is have all the activities occur in the off-season for lighthouse visitation so we're generally pushing things into May even June so we don‘t interfere with people coming and touring the lighthouse when it’s at its busiest,” he said.
Some plans in the document published Friday have already been on tap, such as creating a living shoreline (including breakwaters) on the south side of the property and converting the site from septic to sewage.
Jamie Stuve — president and CEO of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, which operates the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum — highlighted the sewage transition as a sign of BLM‘s positive impact on the property.
The addition of restrooms is another sorely needed improvement, she said.
“We are very pleased that they‘re investing in the infrastructure that’s so desperately needed at the site as we continue to increase our visitorship,” Stuve said.
Stuve said Monday afternoon that she was still reviewing the plan‘s specifics, but added that’s she‘s pleased overall.
Aside from the historical society, other partners named under the federal law include Jupiter, Tequesta and Palm Beach County.
“Input from partners, organizations, and individuals helped inform our decision making to ensure the most critical issues and concerns are addressed,” Robert Swithers, district manager for the BLM’s Southeastern States District, said in a statement.
Swithers called it a “robust public decision-making process.”
The full plan can be found on the BLM‘s website.