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Utility undergrounding completed in Redington Shores
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/061708_bhb-01.jpg) |
| Photos by NANCY AYERS |
| Before and after images of the utility undergrounding project on 175th Avenue in Redington Shores. |
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REDINGTON SHORES – Commissioner John Branch called the town’s ambitious effort to put all of its utilities underground “one of the greatest projects that has ever happened here in terms of looks and safety.”
Branch was reacting to an announcement made by Vice Mayor Bert Adams at the June 11 commission meeting that the $5 million, 21/2 year project has been completed.
Adams later called the effort “a tremendous accomplishment,” which he said took very close cooperation between Progress Energy and the town. Adams indicated there is still a little work to do to close out the project, but said, “The town looks great.”
The undergrounding of utilities was started in November 2005 under the direction of then Mayor J.J. Beyrouti. A low interest loan was obtained to enable the town to accomplish the effort with no out-of-pocket expense to residents. Most municipal undergrounding projects require residents to pay a hook-up charge, which can run as much as $1,500, Beyrouti had said.
As the project has moved through the residential neighborhoods of the town during the past months, commission members representing the districts have worked with residents to minimize disruptions and inconvenience caused by the massive equipment. At one point, District 2 Commissioner Branch said his residents were saying “a huge hallelujah” as the large machines exited and headed to District 3.
Branch added that the crews were excellent and very cooperative with residents.
Mayor Jody Armstrong said she was pleased to see the project come to fruition.
“It was worth the wait,” she said.
The undergrounding of Gulf Boulevard, which is under county control, will be next. Armstrong said she is not optimistic about that happening any time soon.
The County Commission tentatively decided on June 10 to divide up the $35 million allocated for beautification of Gulf Boulevard under the Penny for Pinellas program among the beach communities. Redington Shores’ share of those funds is $1.7 million, which Armstrong said “is not really enough to do much of anything with.”
Armstrong predicted the total undergrounding of Gulf Boulevard will be some years away. The funds will be allocated between 2011 and 2016. Cities that have already undergrounded their portion of Gulf Boulevard – Clearwater, Indian Shores, and St. Pete Beach – are due to receive the first allocations.
Residents applaud elimination of short-term rentals
A group of residents swarmed around Adams following the meeting, shaking his hand and thanking him for passage of an ordinance restricting transient rentals in the town’s single family home zoning districts. The new regulations state that properties must be rented for a minimum of 181 days.
No restrictions had existed previously, and residents told of parties and drinking sprees engaged in by weekend and nightly renters. The problem has gotten worse recently, due to conditions in the housing market.
Adams said the ordinance had been worked on for years. It gained the unanimous approval of the commission.
Date palms to line Gulf Boulevard
The median strip along Gulf Boulevard will soon be planted with up to 45 California date palms, promised two years ago as part of a state grant.
Branch said that everyone had forgotten about the trees, due to the long wait.
“They planted some dates, and now they are big enough for trees,” said Branch facetiously when explaining the time elapsed.
Department of Transportation regulations apparently caused most of the delay. Originally, the DOT was going to allow only one tree per median, based on a 45-mph speed limit. The town applied and was granted a variance, due to the existing 35-mph speed limit, that will permit three or four trees on each median.
Branch declined to give a delivery date for the palms, saying only that he hoped it would be soon.
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Article published on Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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