Penny tax could attack tackiness

Towns along Pinellas' Gulf Boulevard hope to use the funds to bury power lines and spruce up the street.

By AMY WIMMER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 13, 2002

For beachgoers, the Pinellas coast means sugary sand, glorious sunsets, a gentle surf.

Once you get there.

Along the way is a spiderweb of utility lines, the concrete and asphalt of Gulf Boulevard, and a blur of traffic daunting those who dare to cross the street.

"The beaches are as beautiful as they ever were," said County Commissioner Susan Latvala, "but that roadway is a real hindrance to the people who want to go there."

The county's plan to spruce up Gulf Boulevard gained momentum this week when a circuit judge ruled the project is eligible to receive Penny for Pinellas money. That opens the door for the county to fund the improvements, last estimated at about $30-million.

The Gulf Boulevard plan is far-reaching: The county would bury those ugly power lines; add beach trolley shelters up and down the boulevard; hang signs and banners to help tourists discern whether they are in Redington Beach, North Redington Beach or Redington Shores -- something even the locals find difficult.

Tropical landscaping would be added to remind Gulf Boulevard travelers that, yes, they are in a vacation destination, even if they can't see the gulf from the street that bears its name.

Beach residents, some of whom have talked of seceding unless the county does more to help, are ready to roll.

"We have to do this," said J.J. Beyrouti, mayor of Redington Shores, "no matter what it takes."

It might take a tax increase at the gas pump.

State statute allows county commissioners to charge up to 5 cents more per gallon. Now that commissioners know they can use Penny for Pinellas money for Gulf Boulevard, the gas tax money could be used to fund some projects now funded by Penny money.

The Penny for Pinellas fund has had problems of its own. Several county commissioners were angered last year when staffers told them they had over-budgeted Penny spending by more than $100-million. Commissioners had to cut several projects to balance the Penny budget, which is funded by a 1-cent sales tax approved by voters.

Some commissioners and staff already are suggesting one penny of gas tax -- expected to generate $3.3-million a year -- wouldn't be enough to cover other beautification projects they would like to complete for places such as Tarpon Springs, south St. Petersburg and Gulfport.

"I'm not going to support (the 1-cent gas tax) if it's only going to fund one project out of the budget," County Commissioner Ken Welch said.

Beach officials, who previously had discussed funding up to 50 percent of the Gulf Boulevard project locally, are lobbying for the county to pay the whole tab.

"While that might be more palatable to the coastal cities," County Administrator Steve Spratt said, "it introduces a certain amount of controversy for the rest of the county."

Development along the barrier islands transformed the Pinellas economy after World War II. But what was once fun and trendy became kitschy, bordering on tacky.

It's been 10 years since a new hotel was built on the beach.

But the beaches might not get everything they want. Commissioners Karen Seel and Bob Stewart both suggested the county could scale back the project by focusing on beautifying the street instead of burying the power lines.

About 80 percent of the $30-million estimated cost would be spent burying the telephone, cable and electric utilities that line Gulf Boulevard.

While the beaches await word on county funding, the federal budget already includes $500,000 for Gulf Boulevard, and the state budget awaiting Gov. Jeb Bush's signature includes another $175,000.

-- Times staff writer Lisa Greene contributed to this report.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright