NAPLES–The town of Naples had its third and final public meeting addressing the Naples Causeway bridge redesign in what project manager Jim Wentworth referred to as “a technicality.” Town and state officials were required to hold the meeting before they were able to move forward with the project.

With the exception of landscaping choices, which are still up for discussion, no changes have been made to the redesign that was unveiled last August.

The new bridge spanning Long Lake and Brandy Pond will be a fixed bridge with a height of 12 feet, 6 inches, which would allow most boats clearance, designers said. It would, however, prohibit larger boats from passing through, the most notable of which is the Songo River Queen II, docked on the Long Lake side of the bridge. Concerns for the future of the Naples icon were addressed at the meeting by the boat owner’s lawyer Mary Dennison.

“She (the Songo River Queen) is going to suffer the largest disproportionate financial problem,” said Dennison. “And I have a few questions.”

Dennison’s main concern was the timeline of the bridge construction, specifically the date the old bridge will no longer be in use. It is currently set for closure on Sept. 1, 2011, a date Dennison has asked be moved to October of the same year to accommodate customers that have already booked foliage trips. The foliage tours are the busiest time for the River Queen and, according to Dennison, losing that business would prove disastrous.

“We are taking a huge financial hit. Fifty percent of our business will be lost completely. We aren’t here to be difficult, we are just trying to protect what is left of the business,” said Dennison, who acknowledged the hard work of the committee.

Dennison’s concerns were justified when Wentworth held firm on the date of closure.

“The bridge has to be shut, and that date is Sept. 1, 2011,” said Wentworth.

Many businesses in Naples welcome the causeway redesign and meet monthly to discuss what can be done to raise the $405,000 the town must contribute to the mostly state-funded $7 million project. The business group known as Naples Main Street is currently in the process of creating fundraisers and events to raise the cash. Naples residents will also be asked to vote on a warrant for the money in June, a vote Naples Causeway Renaissance Committee Chair Bob Neault is not concerned about.

“We feel the town will support this,” said Neault who noted the town’s portion is not due for two years. “But if it doesn’t pass we have plenty of time to pursue other sources of funds.”

Even if the warrant does pass, Neault hopes the group can refund some of the taxpayer’s money with fundraisers, grants, and private donations.

“I am very proud of everybody and the work that they have done,” said Neault, addressing the crowd. “Now we need you folks to step up and be part of this.”

Some of the fund-raising ideas would pay for objects being added to the new walkways and green areas on the causeway. Companies or private citizens would be able to buy benches, lampposts, bricks, trees and shrubs used in the landscaping of the new causeway.

The project is currently slated to begin Oct. 1 of this year and construction will continue through May 2013.