Snack Shack use still undecided by Madeira Beach

By Sheila Mullane Estrada, Times Correspondent
In print: Wednesday, October 8, 2008

MADEIRA BEACH — Renovation of the 1930s-era Snack Shack at Archibald Park began this week, but reopening the building to the public still could be a long way off.

The City Commission has authorized spending $52,500 to renovate the aging log cabin, treat it for termites and bring it up to code, but no decision has been made on how the building will be used.

Most of the work, which is expected to be completed by December, will upgrade the building's interior, including replacement and/or repair of insulation, drywall, doors, flooring and painting.

In addition, some $200,000 set aside in the city's capital improvement budget will be used to refurbish the surrounding beachfront Archibald Park. Work would include a complete redesign and new landscaping, new restrooms, public shelters, beach walkovers and lighting. The parking lot will also be redesigned.

This week, the commission was scheduled to discuss appointments to the Archibald Ad Hoc Committee — a group that will be charged with compiling suggestions on how the Snack Shack could be used by the public.

Among the applicants are Eddie Lee, who led the Save Our Snack Shack referendum drive last spring, and Maureen Cadzow, a staunch opponent of any commercial development of the park.

An overwhelming vote in the March citizen-sponsored referendum mandated that the city repair and reopen the Snack Shack to the public.

That vote culminated a long and politically contentious debate over the future of the building and the surrounding park.

Several years ago, a city plan to renovate the Snack Shack as a "destination restaurant" collapsed when the U.S. Interior Department ruled the building could only be used to support recreational uses of the beach park.

That idea ended up costing the city $500,000 to settle a lawsuit with the concessionaire.

The Snack Shack then sat vacant for years until the commission decided in 2007 to tear it down.

Residents organized to protest the demolition, arguing that the Snack Shack was a historic building.

They eventually collected enough signatures on a "Save the Snack Shack" petition to force the voter referendum requiring the city to protect the Snack Shack and restore the structure for public use.

The referendum also called for the city to consider public-private partnerships in financing future development of Archibald Park and the Snack Shack building.

In 1972, the Interior Department deeded Archibald Park and its log cabin to the city, with the provision that it be used for public recreation.

The city converted the building to a beach-related snack shack for beachgoers and operated for years by the Disabled American Veterans.

Over the years, Alex Archibald, a descendent of one of the original property owners, repeatedly challenged the transfer deed that allowed recreation-related concessions, arguing that the original donation to the Interior Department in 1931 prohibited any commercial use on the property.

Archibald wanted the city to amend its 1972 quitclaim deed to conform to the original 1931 deed. If the city were to do so, it could prohibit any type of concessions on the beach, including the sale of food or beach umbrellas.

Comments on this article

by John H.	Oct 13, 2008 2:17 PM
Remember with a hand shake was a man's word and meant something? Remember whem a lawyer buried to his neck in sand meant you did not have enough sand. Let us do right by the citizens of Madeira Beach and the Archibald family. Calmer times ahead!

by Mary Russell	Oct 13, 2008 2:04 PM
Preserving historic places helps us appreciate how we got here. Young people need to know how our community was built. There are lessons to be learned. Honoring our past is the best way to build our future. That tiny building is an important bridge!

by Bob	Oct 13, 2008 2:03 PM
I served in Viet Nam in 1967 for my country, picked up Agent Orange in doing so and got medivaced with injuries to a Florida hospital.I am grateful today and dedicated to all Vet programs. Thanks Arch for your efforts also a great teammate at Dixie!

by Dee	Oct 13, 2008 1:42 PM
First, apologies to Ms Cadzow for the aka The Cow comment.Sorry. Second,it's not STOLEN property Sawyer.It was a quit claim deed from DOI to MB.No covenants were changed. Open Shack for snacks, donate profits to VFW, DAVE, etc. THE END.

by Arch	Oct 12, 2008 1:38 PM
Dee,Walter-My primary residence is TX;my heart is in MB.If Maureen had not gotten active, a destination commercial restaurant would be on that Park and you would not have a beach to enjoy.The original deeds say "no commercial use".That covenant rules

by Arch	Oct 12, 2008 1:37 PM
Sawyer,thanks for your support.I'd sure like to see the VA use that Park to rehab our warriors.The National Park Service says that cannot happen because it is not the purpose of the Park.Of course, it was used from the 1930's-1972 for rehab.Why not?

by Ben Harrison	Oct 12, 2008 1:27 PM
For someone to say for Alex Archibald to get over is is stupid. He only want to do the right thing, and is not expecting any thing for himself. I've known him for over 20 years and believe this sincerely. Government for once should live up.

by Maureen	Oct 12, 2008 1:27 PM
Dee, Those restrictions keep those who would use it as a money making venture from doing that. This beautiful pristine beach belongs to the people and can't be raped. You said, "It's Our Beach". who might that be?

by Maureen	Oct 12, 2008 1:26 PM
Dee, Mr Archibald did give the prperty away. But in his wisdon he added restrictions to the Deed, no commerical use and it will be used as a beach and recreation area only. Pretty smart of him, huh?

by Judy	Oct 12, 2008 1:18 PM
I agree with the "Beach Goer"......leave it a nice place for families to visit the beach. That's why we live in Florida. Keep it simple folks, keep it simple please.

by DAN	Oct 12, 2008 1:21 AM
MAYBE THE "DEE'S & WALTERS" OF THE WORLD DON'T CARE ABOUT HONORING THE WISHES OF THEIR ANCESTORS, BUT MANY OF US STILL DO. MR ARCHIBALD PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP FIGHTING THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS WHO ARE TRYING TOM MAKE MONEY OFF PROPERTY DONATED FOR VETS

by Sawyer	Oct 9, 2008 5:10 PM
The Interior Department (Illegally)deeded the park to the city.Feds know it and Madeira knows it.Mr.Archibald donated the property w/the agreement it be used for war veterans similar to R.O.R. The Feds broke the agreement which voids their ownership.

by Sawyer	Oct 9, 2008 3:47 PM
(2) The Archibald's wanted to do their part to help U.S. soldiers in time's of conflict.The city of Madeira Beach and the Department of Interior by all rights need to give back what they have stolen from the family.(STOLEN PROPERTY)

by Sawyer	Oct 9, 2008 3:45 PM
The Interior Department (Illegally)deeded the park to the city.Feds know it and Madeira knows it.Mr.Archibald donated the property w/the agreement it be used for war veterans similar to R.O.R. The Feds broke the agreement which voids their ownership.

by Dee	Oct 9, 2008 3:39 PM
Dear Mr Archibald, your ancestors gave the property away. Get over it and get on with your life. It belongs to Mad Bch. Ms. Cadzow (aka The Cow), go find something else to butt into. What do you want your epitah to be? We interfered?Its our beach

by Beach Goer	Oct 8, 2008 4:51 PM
Just make it a place where we can buy burgers, hotdogs, soda, icecream,& suntan lotion. Why does the goverment have to make everything so diffucult? With hard times, we need a nice beach to go to with our families, that seems like a 1 day vacation.

by walter	Oct 8, 2008 4:44 PM
lets stop the stalling and get on with it.have the shack become a small snack shop.we could use a hot dog hamburger type of place for the locals as well as tourists. get rid of that archibald character does he live here?