Bottom line: San Carlos Park needs its arches.

Problem: The cost just went through the roof.

San Carlos Park’s arches are a gateway fatally damaged by trucks ramming them in October 2002 and January 2004, with a lightning strike in between and a third crash last July.

With the rebuilding price going up, the structure’s fate hangs in the balance.

It was initially estimated that the rebuilding cost would hit $50,000 or so. A bid coming in this week rang in at $329,513, though with a promise by the company bidding on the project that it could come in under that total.

The difference in price promises to split those who value the historic arches from those who believe the price has gone beyond what taxpayers should pay.

Before any final decision on whether to rebuild or not is finalized, we hope that all avenues for payment are explored. For example, why wouldn’t the insurance on the offending vehicles cover the rebuilding costs?

Who knows? Maybe a corporation that makes arches famous would be willing to step in and sponsor the project.

With landmarks few and far between in Southwest Florida, San Carlos Park’s arches remain an important link to the past and should be rebuilt.

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