Everglades City approves lien on historic Railroad Depot

J. Kyle Foster, Naples Daily News
·4 min read

The Everglades City Railroad Depot continues to be embroiled in controversy between the owner and city officials.

In February, the Everglades City Code Enforcement Board voted to levy a fine against the depot owner via a lien on the property at 102 Collier Ave. As of March 15, no lien is showing on the property, according to Collier County property records. Owner Bill Odrey said he had no idea about the vote even though he is living across from City Hall.

The head of code enforcement, Terry Smallwood, told the board that Odrey hadn't complied with a requirement made in November to submit a repair plan and apply for a roof permit from Collier County by Dec. 15. Smallwood asked the board to approve a levy of $6,900, which is $150 a day from Dec. 15 to permit approval on Jan. 31.

Permit application dated Dec. 7

According to Collier County records, the application for permit for roof demolition and tiling was made on Dec. 7, 2023, and issued Jan. 31, 2024. Odrey also has a permit for rethatching a chickee roof that was issued Jan. 29.

A permit approved by Collier County for retiling the roof on the Everglades City Railroad Depot shows an application date of Dec. 7, 2023, and an approval date of Jan. 31, 2024.
A permit approved by Collier County for retiling the roof on the Everglades City Railroad Depot shows an application date of Dec. 7, 2023, and an approval date of Jan. 31, 2024.

At the Feb. 20 Code Enforcement Board meeting, Smallwood was asked whether Odrey applied for the roofing permit on time "or did he drag his feet there?"Smallwood said he didn't know when Odrey applied for the permit, but that it was granted on Jan. 31. "Nothing was submitted to me. I had to go get the information myself," Smallwood said.Glenda Hancock, who has been helping Odrey to save the 1928 building, said she spoke to Smallwood on Jan. 31 and again on March 12. On Jan. 31, before the permit was issued, she was told by the roofer that the permit hadn't been issued because it needed Smallwood's signature. After Hancock spoke to Smallwood in the parking lot of City Hall, he signed it and the permit was issued that day, Hancock said.After finding out about the lien from the Naples Daily News on March 12, Hancock again went to Smallwood."He thinks he made a mistake in the information he swore was true," Hancock said in a phone interview. She said Smallwood told her he would call the city attorney for guidance.

"I am totally confused as to why Terry told the (Code Enforcement) board in the 2/20 meeting that no attempt had been made on Mr. Odrey's part to comply with their request in the November meeting," Hancock said in an email.

Multiple calls and emails by Naples Daily News to Smallwood and other city officials received no response. A message was left for city attorney Lenore Brakefield through her assistant. Brakefield is a partner with Naples-based Woodford, Pires, & Lombardo.

Everglades City Railroad Depot has been sitting unused since 2019 and further damaged by Hurricanes Ian and Idalia. Roof repairs are underway, and work is progressing, says owner Bill Odrey.
Everglades City Railroad Depot has been sitting unused since 2019 and further damaged by Hurricanes Ian and Idalia. Roof repairs are underway, and work is progressing, says owner Bill Odrey.

Odrey, who usually lives in Atlanta, has been living in Everglades City since the Nov. 21 meeting. He said he is doing his best to refurbish and save the historic railroad depot so it again can be commercially viable but faces a fight and misinformation from city officials every step of the way.

"This whole thing down here isn’t right. I can’t go any faster than I can right now," Odrey said in a phone interview. "Maybe I should just let it be torn down because they don’t care to work with me."

Odrey bought the railroad depot property in 2014 for $450,000, according to property records. He made some repairs and had big plans. He had the outdoor area, restrooms and kitchen open until 2019 when city code enforcement told Odrey he was in violation of permitting and shut him down.Since then, the building has sat in disrepair with holes in the roof that are visible from the road. More damage was caused by Hurricanes Ian and Idalia. The docks are falling into the water and the back patio is falling apart.

Work is progressing, Odrey said. The roofing permit expires July 29.

The depot was used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which opened the depot in 1928, according to historical records. The railroad line ran from Immokalee to Everglades City from 1928 to 1956.  It carried freight and passengers.  The station was closed in the 1956.  Later, it was converted into a restaurant called the Old Station Restaurant.  After that, other restaurants used the depot, including Everglades Seafood Depot and Restaurant and Everglades Outdoor Center.

Previously: Everglades City Railroad Depot owner faces deadline to make building safe or face fines

More: Everglades City Railroad Depot owner given more time to fix up building, make it safe

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Everglades City approves lien on historic Railroad Depot