A crowd hashes out putting utility lines out of sight along Gulf Boulevard as leaders consider a step forward.
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published April 7, 2004
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - Residents and commissioners debated Monday whether the city should spend millions of dollars to bury power, cable and telephone lines along Gulf Boulevard.
Most appeared to like the idea but questioned the cost, how it could be paid for and, more basic, whether the city even wants to follow other beach communities such as North Redington Beach, Redington Shores and Indian Shores.
"This is an opportunity to have a lasting impact by removing visual blight. We take pride in our town. Now is the time to go forward," one resident said.
Others said the absence of overhead utility lines would increase property values and smooth evacuations during hurricanes.
But some in attendance questioned whether "just aesthetics" was a good enough reason to spend so much money - an estimated $1.6- to $4-million.
Commissioners will meet April 15 to decide if the city should spend between $10,000 and $25,000 for engineering designs necessary to determine the exact costs and the extent of the project.
The issue, discussed periodically by the commission, was accelerated when the city learned that its southern neighbor, Indian Shores, will begin burying lines along Gulf Boulevard in August to coordinate with a major repaving project planned by the Florida Department of Transportation.
City Manager John Coffey told residents Monday that if Indian Rocks Beach wants to join in that project - which would cover the 0.8 miles of Gulf Boulevard south of Walsingham Road - the city would have to spend $10,000 immediately for engineering designs.
"If we don't, we will miss this portion of the project. But even if the commission authorizes paying for the designs, there is no guarantee we will be in time," Coffey said.
The commission also could authorize a complete engineering study for burying utility lines along the city's entire 2.4-mile stretch of Gulf Boulevard.
In addition to the estimated $4-million cost for burying the lines, the city would have to pay for replacement of sidewalks and landscaping affected by the project, as well as an estimated $800,000 for new street lighting.
Individual property owners would be required to pay for burying any lines on their own property that connect their homes and businesses to the new utility lines. That cost was estimated at $2,000 per property and could be paid over time through a utility bill surcharge.
Coffey said a bank loan to cover the city's portion "would be the best option" to pay for the project. That loan could be paid by either raising property taxes, levying utility taxes, using Penny for Pinellas money, or a combination of the three.
The more than 100 residents, business owners and commissioners attending Monday's meeting indicated they preferred the issue to be decided by the voters in a citywide referendum, possibly during the November election. The city charter does not require such a referendum.
