Support Letter 06/15/2022 . �� BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe �: �� Mayor David Rice,District 4
The Florida Keys 1 Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates,District 1
y Michelle Coldiron,District 2
James K.Scholl,District 3
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
May 23, 2022
Florida Department of State
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
RE: Florida DOS Specific Cultural Project Grant Program
Dear Grant Review Panel and Florida Council on Arts and Culture,
It is my pleasure to express support of the Pigeon Key Spool Reuse Project for the Specific Cultural Project grant
program through the Florida Council on Arts & Culture at the Florida Department of State. I write on behalf of
Monroe County, property owner of Pigeon Key and engaged partner with Pigeon Key Foundation, Inc.The Pigeon
Key Spool Reuse Project on Pigeon Key is an excellent opportunity to highlight both local artists and the special
qualities of Pigeon Key through a project that re-envisions electrical spools left on the island after construction.
Pigeon Key is a unique and important asset within the Florida Keys, state, and nation. As a nationally designated
Historic District, this five-acre island continues to tell the story of its development as a work camp for Henry
Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway.Today the eight remaining buildings serve a variety of purposes, ranging from
housing for educational groups to administrative offices for the non-profit Pigeon Key Foundation. In addition to
historical assets, the island is surrounded by and part of a vibrant coastal ecosystem and Pigeon Key Foundation
hosts camps and visitors year-round for explorers to learn about the reef and tide pool organisms that make the
Keys so special. Leveraging the variety of assets on the island, this spool project will capture those traits through
art and the eyes of local artists.
The Pigeon Key Spool Reuse Project aligns with the priorities and goals of the County, supporting sustainability
efforts, the local economy, and arts and culture. With the re-opening of the historic 7-mile bridge, Pigeon Key is
seeing increased visitation by both locals and tourists. This project is a creative approach to adding amenities
through new tables on the property, reducing landfill waste through the reuse of the spools, and developing new
partnerships with local artists.
We are excited to support Pigeon Key Foundation's Spool Reuse project and look forward to making it a reality. If
I can be of further assistance, please contact Senior Project Manager, Jordan Salinger, PMP, at 305-570-9156 or
Salinger-Jordan@MonroeCounty-FL.gov.Thank you for your consideration of their grant application.
Sincerely,
Roman Gastesi, County Administrator
Monroe County