Photo by Dusty

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The Barrier Island Parks Society has been working for a long, long time to acquire the Range Light on Gulf Boulevard. Since 1991, in fact. So when they were recently granted a permit to access the grounds and look at the extent of repair needed, they were elated.

On Thursday, Nov. 8 restoration contractor Alex Klahm took a look at the structure and said that its integrity is still sound, and all issues appear to be fixable.

Klahm, who owns a company called Architectural Metal and Design, Inc., was chosen because of his extensive work with lighthouses, including the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse cupola.

Sharon McKenzie, the executive director of BIPS, said this was an important step in their fight to acquire the light.

“We’re afraid if we don’t restore it soon, we’re going to lose it,” she said. “There are people within the community, as well as people within the government, who are helping us. Once we get an estimate as to how much it will cost to repair, we can present that to the right people.”

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