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Tarpon Springs historic street lighting project moving slowly

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: May 10, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - It will be almost another 18 months before old-fashioned streetlights illuminate Tarpon and Pinellas avenues.

The city received a $630,000 federal grant, administered by the Florida Department of Transportation, to install historic-looking streetlights on Tarpon Avenue between Huey Avenue and Alt 19 and along Pinellas Avenue between Morgan and Athens streets, Joseph DiPasqua, development services director, said.

The decorative historic street lighting, landscaping and moving overhead wires underground are three grant-funded projects separate from the recent DOT resurfacing along Tarpon and Pinellas Avenues, he explained.

DOT's resurfacing and the city's three projects could not be timed together because of permitting issues, he said.

Some business owners have complained the loss of the old-fashioned streetlights, on Pinellas and Tarpon avenues, has hurt their business.

Mayor Beverley Billiris, at a recent City Commission meeting, said she wants to dispel rumors and complaints that the lights will not return.

In addition to decorative lighting, she asked the city staff to look into replacing receptacles in the sidewalk that permitted shop owners to place flags outside their stores to attract customers.

Sue Thomas, president of the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, said the lack of stylish lights has hurt the downtown district. Eateries on Safford Avenue, north and south of Tarpon Avenue, want to build a dinner trade but have been especially impacted by the absence of the old-fashioned streetlights.

Paul Menzer, owner of Menzer's Antiques, on Tarpon Avenue, said most retailers close up their business before sundown. Restaurants, however, suffer from the loss of the lights at night because pedestrians don't want to walk downtown on a darkened street.

While portions of Tarpon Avenue are partially illuminated by lights mounted high on power poles, safety has become a factor, he said. Some downtown pedestrians have tripped at night while walking over loose paver bricks, Menzer said.

This past Christmas, there were no colorful illuminated holiday decorations to attract shoppers downtown, Menzer said. The main portion of the Gavel and Grapes festival, held last weekend, had to take place along Court Street so it could continue past sunset, he noted.

Getting the street lights installed just takes time, DiPasqua said, especially since two state grants are involved. Even if the city were funding the project on its own, much of the same time-consuming steps would be required, he explained.

Design of the pedestrian street lighting is under way and should be completed by December. The plans then must then be approved by state and federal agencies.

According to the current schedule, the installation contract would be awarded in May 2009 and the work completed by October of that year.

At the same time, plants are being grown for the city's landscaping project. As soon as the plants mature they will be placed along medians.

Work is also under way to place overhead utility wires underground at certain intersections as part of another grant project, DiPasqua said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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