Mexico Beach breaks ground on boat ramp facility

Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey had three words for those complaining about gridlock at the current city boat ramp:  "Get a shovel."

At Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony, Cathey joined representatives of the St. Joe Company in extolling the benefits of a new three-boat ramp facility, located along the Mexico Beach canal, north of U.S. 98.

The facility will also include two wooden piers and a large parking area built to accommodate several dozen vehicles with boat trailers.

The St. Joe Company provided the site for the new boat ramp via a long-term lease with the city, along with design and construction services.

"St. Joe is pleased to provide residents and visitors a safer, more efficient boat launch facility," said Lewis Howell, St. Joe Company vice president of Public Affairs.

"With three ramps, the new facility is more functional than the old one, which only offered a single ramp for launching boats. Additionally, the location of the old boat ramp provides limited access and parking for those launching boats."

Cathey said the boat ramp will go a long way towards healing a common Mexico Beach affliction: "Ramp Rage."

The new boat ramp facility is expected to be open for use by June 2010. The City of Mexico Beach will be responsible for maintaining the grounds.