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Streets of the future

The Seminole City Council takes a look at three ideas for a streetscaping project.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published March 12, 2006

Council members got their first look Tuesday at ideas to improve the appearance of some of the city's streets, the midpoint of a streetscape design plan by the Renaissance Planning Group Inc. of Orlando. Seminole hired the firm to help create a unique identity for the city.

Renaissance took pictures of three types of streets: civic, with open space and a wide road profile; commercial, which cater to vehicles rather than pedestrians and bicyclists and with buildings set back from the street; and residential. Designers altered those pictures to show how they might look with improvements. Below are some examples of existing thoroughfares and proposed enhancements:

CIVIC: Park Boulevard at Lake Seminole Park, one of the entrances to the city. As it exists, the roadway is bare and utilitarian. One proposed plan would add trees and landscaping to create a more welcoming peaceful view.

COMMERCIAL: A six-lane section of Seminole Boulevard. The existing roadway is bare, decorated with utility lines and poles along the street. One design option shows greenery, underground wiring and storefronts lining the sidewalks with parking in the rear.

RESIDENTIAL: 113th Street at the Pinellas Trail. One design option would add trees, greenery and landscaping to encourage pedestrian and bike traffic.

(There will be another public hearing so residents can see consultants' ideas at a date to be announced later.)

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:18:21]