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Help Save Miami’s Bent Range Marker

This is a letter being passed around to help save Miami’s Bent Range Marker. Dear All: I wanted you follow up my email from yesterday, and try to provide a better explanation of the cost breakdown that relates to our efforts to try and save the Bent Range Marker.  This cost breakdown involves two components”1) the anticipated costs for DERM to accept the transfer of and maintain the structure and 2) the Shoreline buy out for the Bent Range Removal Aspect of its contract with the Coast Guard. DERM COSTS DERM has previously submitted a proposed contract that earmarks 125K for the costs it anticipates will be necessary to accept the transfer of the Bent Range Marker and to maintain it.   75K of this amount has been earmarked for the costs of the future removal of the Bent Range Marker should it be damaged from storms and/or otherwise become a hazard to navigation. I have provided DERM with a copy of the Coast Guard Bug Light removal contract in the amount of $23,162.11 for an apples to apples comparison so that a more realistic future removal cost of the Bent Range Marker can be ascertained.  Although the negotiations are ongoing, I think we should expect a reduced figure of around 75K to cover the costs which DERM believes will be necessary to accept jurisdiction of the Bent Range Marker. SHORELINE COSTS The pertinent part of the Shoreline contract with the Coast Guard relevant to the Bent Range Marker states that Shoreline will receive $460,264.00 for Demolition of four (4) existing range towers. Two (2) Miami Main Front and Rear Range, and two (2) temporary Miami Front and Rear Range towers.  Thus, $115,066.00 represents the pro rated amount that Shoreline expects to receive for the removal of the Bent Range Marker. We have asked the Coast Guard to assign a cost/value to a revised work scope involving the partial removal and retrofit of the Bent Range Marker.  This cost would be credited against the original $115,066.00, leaving the balance that would need to be covered by private donations.  Thus, at this time, without knowing any more, all that can be said is that Shoreline must be paid $115,066.00 or the Bent Range Marker will be removed.  I want to reiterate that although I had requested Shoreline to provide a reduced buy out figure to leave the Bent Range Marker intact since it would not have to incur the labor and expense to actually remove the structure, I was advised by Shoreline that it cannot take anything less given that it has encountered cost overruns on this project. I hope the foregoing provides everyone a better understanding of the numbers we are dealing with at this moment which, in round numbers, total roughly 190K-200K.   Unless we can raise monies in this range, the Bent Range Marker will be demolished. Bruce R. Marx, Esq. Marlow, Adler, Abrams, Newman & Lewis 4000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 570 Coral Gables, FL 33146 Dir: 786.999.1766 Tel: 305.446.0500 Fax: 305.446.3667 [email protected]

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