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First Phase Of Downtown Tarpon Landscaping To Begin Earlier

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: September 19, 2008

Updated:

TARPON SPRINGS - Long-awaited landscaping of medians along Tarpon and Pinellas avenues will begin earlier than first anticipated.

Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris said everyone is looking forward to the kick off of the median landscaping project.

It is no surprise that there has been a time gap between the Florida Department of Transportation's roadway restoration and separately funded median landscaping, LeCouris said.

The surprise is how long it has felt, after having to look at barren medians for several months, he added.

Three different types of trees approved for use on a state highway have to be contract grown, because they are not readily available at local nurseries, he said.

The trees must meet DOT specifications regulating visibility requirements and how they respond in a crash, LeCouris said.

A plan to plant Walter's Viburnum fell through, LeCouris said. This resulted in the city seizing the opportunity to improve aesthetics of the downtown sooner, by installing more readily available white and lavender flowers along with 58 Natchez and 57 Muskogee Crape Myrtle trees.

The first phase of landscaping should begin in the next few months, with all plants, flowers and Myrtles in by the holiday season, LeCouris said.

In the longer term, 99 Yaupon Holly trees will not be ready for planting until July 2009, while 54 White Geiger trees will reach specifications for planting in Spring 2010.

Yet another project, which envisions installation of old-fashioned style street lamps in the downtown core, is still in the design phase, said Jay Jackus, city purchasing administrator.

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

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