Posted: Feb 26, 2014 6:26 PM EST Updated: Feb 26, 2014 7:26 PM EST
LEHIGH ACRES, FL -
A spring with history dating back thousands of
years, that's the gem neighbors claim is hidden in the middle of Lehigh
Acres. Now, they want the county to buy it and protect it from
development. But at what cost?
"People thought it was just a lake," said resident Ruth Anglickis. "People actually went fishing there."
The scene is perfect in the eyes of Rick and Ruth Anglickis
"It's really a window into history," Rick said.
It's a sinkhole off Joel Boulevard, but even more off the beaten path in Lehigh Acres -- one that's filled with water over the years.
But where some see this as a small lake -- this pair sees a lot more.
"There's great archaeological value in that spring, just like one in Sarasota," Ruth said.
The Anglickises wants Lee County to buy the 19-acre piece of property from a private owner and preserve it from development. They say the Lehigh Spring here has deep roots -- dating back 14,000 years and more than 200 feet down.
But the county is balking at price.
If the county bought the land, the asking price is $1.3 million, but the costs don't end there.
It'd be another half a million to restore it, then $42,000 a year for upkeep
Supporters say it'd be a great place to build a park -- maybe a museum with artifacts found below.
"I think it is a great idea to turn it into a park, but $1.3 million sounds overboard," said resident Michelle Slensky.
"Doesn't make sense to me. We've got a lot of better things to spend money on," said resident Skip Agresti.
While the Anglickises see it differently.
"I think it's priceless," Rick said.
County commissioners will have the final say when they take it up next Tuesday.
"People thought it was just a lake," said resident Ruth Anglickis. "People actually went fishing there."
The scene is perfect in the eyes of Rick and Ruth Anglickis
"It's really a window into history," Rick said.
It's a sinkhole off Joel Boulevard, but even more off the beaten path in Lehigh Acres -- one that's filled with water over the years.
But where some see this as a small lake -- this pair sees a lot more.
"There's great archaeological value in that spring, just like one in Sarasota," Ruth said.
The Anglickises wants Lee County to buy the 19-acre piece of property from a private owner and preserve it from development. They say the Lehigh Spring here has deep roots -- dating back 14,000 years and more than 200 feet down.
But the county is balking at price.
If the county bought the land, the asking price is $1.3 million, but the costs don't end there.
It'd be another half a million to restore it, then $42,000 a year for upkeep
Supporters say it'd be a great place to build a park -- maybe a museum with artifacts found below.
"I think it is a great idea to turn it into a park, but $1.3 million sounds overboard," said resident Michelle Slensky.
"Doesn't make sense to me. We've got a lot of better things to spend money on," said resident Skip Agresti.
While the Anglickises see it differently.
"I think it's priceless," Rick said.
County commissioners will have the final say when they take it up next Tuesday.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/24833620/some-want-the-leigh-spring-preserved-and-protected#.Uw8i-l5ReJ4
