coalition of geospatial and surveying professionals in
Wisconsin, including federal, state, regional, county, and
local governments as well as agencies, corporations, and
associations involved in the production and use of spatial
data.
“The task force’s job is to make sure the geospatial
community in Wisconsin is prepared once this is
implemented,” said Kleinmann, chairman of the WSLS’
Geospatial Committee through which the task force was
formed. “To do that, we’ve created focus groups to address
the different aspects of preparedness. Our main goal is
to make sure the implementation of the new datum is
as smooth and pain-free as possible for the Wisconsin
geospatial community.”
Five focus groups – technical, legislative, education and
outreach, software/hardware, and implementation and
adoption – have been established, looking at everything
from the math, science, and design of coordinate systems
to how the new datum will interface with current surveying
software and hardware.
The National Geodetic Survey recently published policies
and procedures detailing how it intends to implement
the new reference frames. The task force has until March
31, 2020, to respond – and make requests of NGS and
to propose any additions that Wisconsin would like to
implement. They’ll then have until March 31, 2021, to
submit their proposed coordinate system designs, with the
datum expected to be replaced in 2022.
UNDER-THE-SEA ENHANCEMENTS
PLANNED FOR FAMOUS FLORIDA PARK
The mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Spring
28│ TRENDS
Hill, Florida, have been entertaining audiences since the
1940s. Each year, crowds by the thousands attend the iconic
underwater mermaid show – performed from a theater 20
feet below the water’s surface.
To better accommodate performers and enhance safety,
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection hired
Ayres Associates to design improvements to the mermaid
exhibit’s floating dock. The performing mermaids had
historically swum in an enclosed underwater tunnel. New
safety guidelines, however, prompted development of a
custom-designed floating dock structure – one that no
longer required the acrobatic mermaids to navigate a
confined tunnel during performances. The improvements
will also provide a more comfortable mermaid changing
area.
The engineered floating dock system includes an air-
conditioned and powered dock structure and gangway.
The floating dock and structure “hide” the performers
when changing costumes, thus maintaining the mystic of
the maids. A shelter on top of the floating dock features
underwater video cameras and a monitor to keep visual
watch over the performers and ensure their safety.
Additional improvements call for renovating a porch and
adding closet space and a walkway to provide more storage
and another air-conditioned space for staff.
At this stage of the process, 100% plans have been
submitted, with the permitting process expected to
consume much of 2019. With the site in a state park and
natural spring, the process is more involved than a standard
design-build project. Construction is tentatively set for 2020.