Everglades City Railroad Depot owner gets more time for roof repair

Bill Odrey is getting more time, at least from Collier County, to repair the roof on the old Everglades City Railroad Depot.

Odrey, who bought the building at 102 Collier Ave. in 2014 under the business name Everglades Adventure Center LLC, had a roofing permit that was set to expire at the end of July. No work has been done on the roof as of yet. Suncoast Roofing Inc. of Naples sent a letter July 10 asking for the extension, according to Collier County permitting documents . The permit was extended to Aug. 26.

Whether Everglades City's Code Enforcement Board and City Council will find that acceptable is another story. The Enforcement Board said it wanted the roof replaced by the July 29 permit expiration date. The board does not meet in July. City Council meets next on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

"Good things are finally happening," Odrey said in a text message. Engineering work on the roof is under way now, he said.

A building closed and in disrepair for years

The depot was opened in 1928 and was used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad for a passenger and freight line between Immokalee and Everglades City until 1956.

After the train line shut down, the building was used for businesses including Old Station Restaurant, Everglades Seafood Depot and Restaurant and Everglades Outdoor Center. Odrey had it opened for a few years as a bar and restaurant. Code Enforcement closed him down in 2019 for permit violations.

Odrey says he bought the building to preserve it and turn it into a community center and money-making restaurant to help pay the mortgage. He wanted to refurbish and repair the building a little at a time while operating a business to pay the bills but that won't be possible with the county's determination that it is unsafe until the entire building is completed.

Since 2019, Odrey said he has been trying to raise money for the needed repairs, many of which were needed when he bought the building. Sitting empty, the building sustained damage from hurricanes Ian and Idalia . Holes in the roof can be seen from the road.

Building owner issued fines, told to show progress

The Everglade City's Code Enforcement Board fined Odrey nearly $7,000 in February for safety concerns and failing to repair the building in a timely manner. Michael Cruz, captain of fire and life safety for Greater Naples Fire and Rescue, said in November that the building was too dangerous for fire and rescue to enter if there was a fire.

The same board in April reversed the fine and said it would charge Odrey only the administrative costs the city spent. Board members said Odrey had filed for and received a permit, the yard was being mowed and a fence had been installed, which showed he was making progress.

Odrey hopes to celebrate the building's rebirth with the entire community one day.

"We will be ready for the 100th anniversary of the depot."

In case you missed it: Did Everglades City Railroad Depot owner get reprieve on code enforcement fines?

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Everglades City Railroad Depot owner gets more time for roof repair