Higgs "Nude" Beach? Maybe.

The Monroe County Commission on Wednesday gave county staff the green light to research a clothing-optional beach on county property.

The idea came out of a discussion about the county spending $485,000 to improve Higgs Beach, which had been neglected up until several months ago.

Local political gadfly Sloan Bashinsky, who has been pushing the issue on his blog, suggested establishing a clothing-optional area at the West Martello Tower, which houses the Key West Garden Club's garden. He said there is a growing movement in Key West to have a clothing-optional beach on the island, as many European vacationers visit Key West.

County Attorney Suzanne Hutton asked commissioners whether they wanted her office to research the idea. Commissioner Sylvia Murphy led the charge, saying she supports the idea, although she does not plan to go there. Murphy said her European friends have complained that Americans are "prudes."

County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro, who lived in Europe for 30 years, agreed with Murphy and said it is time to consider the idea, saying it could make Key West more marketable to European vacationers.

Clothing-optional Haulover Beach in Miami-Dade County generates several million dollars a year for businesses near it, according to Commissioner Heather Carruthers, who represents Key West.

She agreed the county should research the issue, but questioned whether the area behind the fort is the "right place for it." The beach and pavilion next to the fort is frequented by families, the area is visible from the White Street Pier, and there's a children's playground across the street.

The county is sprucing up Higgs Beach and recently assigned a full-time deputy to patrol the area. Carruthers and others are developing a master plan for the beach. She has identified $485,000 in unused county Tourist Development Council funds for the project.

The group has identified $125,000 worth of work needed on lighting, bathroom renovations and parking lot restriping.

Carruthers also wants the county to upgrade the neighboring Astro City children's playground and tennis courts and install speed bumps or less cumbersome "rumble strips" on Atlantic Boulevard. The crosswalk at the beach also needs to be upgraded, she said.

For years, the beach has been frequented by homeless people and the police have been summoned to quell fights, drinking and drug-related crimes.

tohara@keysnews.com