ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have decided the exteriors of the new pier restaurant and bait shop buildings will be covered with HardiePlank lap siding instead of Kebony hardwood siding.
HardiePlank is a non-wood material made with cement fibers.
The commission’s unanimous decision on June 27 reverses a previous 3-2 decision made in April 2018 in favor of Kebony siding. At that time, commissioners Carol Carter, Amy Tripp and Dale Woodland voted in favor of Kebony siding. Commissioners Doug Copeland and Brian Seymour opposed the Kebony and expressed their preferences for HardiePlank instead.
The pier walkway is being built with Ipe decking made of Brazilian hardwood.
After noting the commission previously favored Kebony, Mayor Dan Murphy said the city’s contractor for the new pier buildings, Frank Agnelli, recommends HardiePlank.
Murphy said using HardiePlank would reduce the pier project costs by $18,000. He also said HardiePlank is fireproof, has a very long life and he concurs with the contractor’s recommendation.
Copeland said HardiePlank comes with a 30-year warranty and is available in different colors, which will also save the city the expense of painting it. The commission did not discuss color choices last week. During past discussions, it’s been stated that the pier and pier buildings would have greyish tone that fades over time and resembles the old pier.
“I didn’t vote for the Kebony to begin with,” Commission chair Brian Seymour noted.
“I didn’t either,” Copeland added.
Tripp made the motion to use HardiePlank and the commission unanimously supported that motion.
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