Agenda 04/08/2025 Item #16B12 (Memorandum of Agreement for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) w/City of Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero for the acquisition of the Seminole Gulf Railway corridor)4/8/2025
Item # 16.B.12
ID# 2025-1128
Executive Summary
Recommendation to approve the Memorandum of Agreement for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) with the City of
Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero to memorialize cooperative efforts between all parties for the acquisition of the
Seminole Gulf Railway corridor, and authorize (1) the Chairman to sign the MOA; (2) Commissioner Hall to participate
in a working group; and (3) participation in pre-acquisition costs not to exceed $100,000.
OBJECTIVE: To memorialize the cooperation between the City of Bonita Springs, Village of Estero and Collier
County in the acquisition of the Seminole Gulf Rail Line (SGRL) right-of-way from north of Wiggins Pass Road to
Estero Parkway.
CONSIDERATIONS: In May 2020, the County Manager’s Office was approached by the Trust for Public Lands
(TPL) to begin exploring the acquisition of the SGRL from north of Wiggins Pass Road to Alico Road in coordination
with the City of Bonita Springs & the Village of Estero. The intended use of the corridor is for a passive-recreation trail.
Approximately 0.75 miles +/- of the railroad corridor is immediately adjacent to Conservation Collier lands (Railhead
Preserve), with nearly .4 of a mile bifurcating the Preserve. In addition, a short section will facilitate the necessary
roadway crossing for the extension of Veterans Memorial Boulevard. In July 2020, TPL requested the County to provide
approximately $11,500 toward the cost of the corridor appraisal. This was the cost of the appraisal ($68,000) split
between six entities. Former County Manager Leo Ochs authorized the participation. At the October 27, 2020, Board
meeting, County Manager Ochs provided an update to the Board that the County Manager’s staff was working with the
Village of Estero, City of Bonita Springs & Lee County in a joint effort facilitated by the TPL to attempt to acquire the
railroad right-of-way. Appraisals were received, and the TPL attempted to negotiate an acceptable purchase price
with the SGRL. However, at that time, they were unable to come to an agreement and negotiations stalled. In early
2024, the TPL was able to place the corridor from north of Wiggins Pass Road to Alico Road under contract for $82M
with a closing timeframe no later than March 2026. The corridor is intended to be railbanked to preserve the opportunity
for future rail use. The TPL made a presentation to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board in April 2024,
requesting the corridor be placed on the MPO priority list as well as support for future funding requests, which was
unanimously approved.
The TPL is pursuing multiple state and federal funding opportunities, many of which will require a match of the
potential grant award. Match requirements for most federal funds are 20% of the grant request and can be up to 50% for
other funding opportunities such as legislative requests.
While the City of Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero have acted specifically supporting the acquisition of the
corridor and pledged several million dollars toward the purchase, Lee County has yet to do so. Therefore, an option to
acquire the right-of-way in a phased manner has been negotiated with the seller to allow for a continued acquisition of
the portions within Collier County, City of Bonita Springs and the Village of Estero, with a future purchase in
unincorporated Lee County. Below is a breakdown of Phase 1 and Phase 2 costs per mile and value from the most
current appraisal:
Phase
Segment Length
(miles)
% of Phase 1 Length Value % of Phase 1 Value
Village of Estero 5.25 42.00% $29,057,515 37.91%
City of Bonita
Springs
5.75 46.00% $33,815,560 44.11%
Collier County 1.50 12.00% $13,781,660 17.98%
Phase 1 Totals 12.50 100% $76,654,735 100%
Phase 2
Unincorporated Lee
County
2.3 100% $7,672,979 100%
It should be noted that the $13,781,660 acquisition costs attributable to the Collier County portion is anticipated to be
the maximum amount. The amount could be lower based on subsequent requisite appraisals and environmental
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4/8/2025
Item # 16.B.12
ID# 2025-1128
assessments and negotiated potential remediation costs.
Should the railroad corridor be included in an upcoming targeted protection area, it would then be eligible for
Conservation Collier acquisition funds. The corridor would facilitate the connection between other off-site private
preserves with the already acquired Conservation Collier lands, as well as connecting existing Conservation Collier
preserves.
In recent conversations with the County’s local delegation, as well as in various grant funding opportunity inquiries, it
has been noted that a memorandum of agreement formalizing cooperation of the involved entities is desired. The
agreement would assist the entities to align their goals, objective, and emphasize the collaboration of the multiple
entities toward the common goal of corridor acquisition.
This item is consistent with the Collier County Strategic Plan objective to design and maintain an effective
transportation system to reduce traffic congestion and improve the mobility of our residents and visitors.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $100,000 are available within the Transportation Capital Fund (3081),
Project 60118 for pre-acquisition costs. The source of funds is transfers from the General Fund and the Unincorporated
General fund. If the acquisition were to move forward, a subsequent Board action will necessary for approval and a
budget amendment will be required for the County's determined share of the acquisition of $13,781,660. Potential
sources of acquisition costs include Conservation Collier funds, Road Impact Fees, Gas Tax and General Fund.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: These improvements are consistent with the Growth Management Plan
Transportation Element.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:
This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and legality and requires majority
vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve the Memorandum of Agreement for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail with the City of
Bonita Springs and Village of Estero, and authorize: (1) the Chairman to sign the MOA; (2) Commissioner Hall to
participate in a working group; and (3) participate in pre-acquisition costs not to exceed $100,000.
PREPARED BY: Trinity Scott, Department Head, Transportation Management Services
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MOU Bonita Estero Rail Trail
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