According to county officials, the 40-foot observation tower at Linda Pederen Park will be removed.
Many residents enjoy the tower for its panoramic views and often climb up the stairs for exercise.
Hernando County public information officer Dominique Holmes said, “The Parks & Recreation Department has made the decision to remove this structure. This decision was made due to multiple factors. The age of the structure, damage sustained from storms, the costs to repair and maintain, and the fact that the tower is at the end of its useful lifespan are all driving factors.”
She also said that the county will be able to realize a cost savings by combining the removal of the tower with another project that will entail demolishing the Port Authority building (also on the same property), which was irreparably damaged during Hurricane Helene.
The project is currently out for bid.
“While we understand that the observation tower at Linda Pedersen will be missed, we do not want the tower to deteriorate to a point where it would become a hazard. In the future, we hope to add another more sustainable structure in its place, but for the time being, we feel it is best to capitalize on the opportunity we have to remove the aging tower,” Holmes said.
In 2016, the tower suffered damage from a fire on the top deck and was repaired. The original construction contract with Schlotter Construction, Inc. was approved in 1994 for $69,945.
