By JOHN ANDOLA Citizen Columnist

Just a couple months ago I was wondering whatever happened to the plans to develop the Truman Waterfront land that the Navy gave back to the city of Key West several years ago. Wow, did I say several years? Yes, I guess it was that long ago. I was still working for the school district at Harris School, the new high school was recently opened and we were excited about having Holly Brozi lead the newly restructured Culinary Program.

I had been spending lots of time with Amy Culver and Jimmy Gilleran, who were super excited about their proposal for the Navy land, or a least a small portion of it. Their plans called for a world-class mega-yacht marina, a restaurant and convention center and a culinary program staffed by local restaurateurs and operated in partnership with the school district. Amy and Jimmy had detailed architectural and site plans, and Henry Woods and I traveled with them to different culinary schools in Florida, collecting cutting-edge ideas to incorporate into the project. Several meetings were held upstairs at Mangoes with members of the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust (BCCLT), city officials and other local community groups who were working on various types of living accommodations for other portions of the Navy land.

Well, the Culver-Gilleran plans were suddenly deemed unworthy by the powers that be, and other groups took over the leadership of the Navy land projects. At the time, I was even more naÃØve about local politics than I am now, if that's possible. Then I pretty much lost track of the project as I focused on my own life, family and eventual retirement about four years ago.

Flash forward to April 2009 and Last Stand's Truman Waterfront forum at the Eco-Discovery Center. The audience was presented with an array of marvelous plans for the 33-acre site. Doug Bradshaw, the city's ports project manager, and Mayor Morgan McPherson described plans for a marina and park space. Bookie Henriquez, co-chair of the Florida Keys Assisted Living Coalition, discussed plans for 95 independent living apartments for seniors and 40 assisted-living units. Norma Jean Sawyer, executive director of the BCCLT, described plans for 100 affordable housing units over first floor retail space.

According to Bradshaw and McPherson, the marina will lead the way -- and two companies have already expressed interest in funding the estimated $30 million project. The city, said McPherson, will share in the profits from the marina and those funds would be used to support maintenance of the entire project into the future. Still, a couple of troubling questions remain. Before the marina realizes any profits, boat slips need to be rented or leased, and presumably the investor needs to see a return on his investment. Not an easy task in these financial times.

Meanwhile, before the marina construction can proceed, it may be necessary to obtain ownership to Admiral's Cut through eminent domain. One question posed to McPherson during the forum was: "What about the infrastructure -- roads, water, sewers, electricity -- that needs to be in place before the individual projects can proceed? Where are the funds for infrastructure, and when will the work be planned and completed?"

Although McPherson commented, no answer to the question was forthcoming. A very troubling issue, to say the least. The audience also expressed surprise when it was mentioned that a ferry terminal was included in the marina plans. It was unclear why this was needed, or what would be the function of the existing ferry terminal.

Henriquez's presentation of plans for 95 independent living apartments and 40 assisted-living units emphasized the fact that native and longtime (15-20 years) residents of Key West and the Lower Keys would be given first shot at these units. The independent living apartments would sell for $200,000 to $1.5 million. One has to question how quickly such units would be filled. Also it was pointed out that the 95 units were necessary in order to financially support the 40 assisted-living units, which will rent from $1,000 to $4,900 per month. This $50 million dollar project is still looking for funding.

Norma Jean Sawyer gave a very stirring review of the history involved in this land transition. The Navy took the land many years ago, she explained, and many residents in Bahama Village were displaced from their homes. The Navy promised to return the land when it was no longer needed, so it is fitting that the people of Bahama Village receive and reoccupy a major portion of that land today. Sawyer said that since 100 units are for affordable housing, no Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) units would be required. McPherson and past history decry this statement.

The Truman Waterfront Development project is a major undertaking, and I applaud those involved for their work and commitment. Considering that the land was transferred from the Navy to the city seven years ago, considering the false starts and considering the obstacles yet to be overcome, I will not plan to dock my boat at the marina or apply for one of the assisted living units anytime soon.

John Andola, a Key West resident, is a retired educator and gay rights activist. His column appears in The Citizen on Saturdays. He can be contacted at jandola@keysnews.com.