walking path - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T13:29:03Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/walking+pathHighland Beach: Town rushes to get A1A work on ballot, seeks voters’ inputhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-town-rushes-to-get-a1a-work-on-ballot-seeks-voters2019-01-02T17:23:56.000Z2019-01-02T17:23:56.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960827460,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960827460,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="550" alt="7960827460?profile=original" /></a><em>Highland Beach residents meet at a workshop to see proposed improvements along State Road A1A and to provide input. The ambitious plan would cost the town as much as $45 million. Voters must approve the expenditure. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
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<p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong></p>
<p>Voters in Highland Beach will have a chance in March to allow town leaders to spend up to $45 million on a series of long-term renovations along State Road A1A, barring last-minute changes this month. <br /> At a special meeting in December, commissioners agreed to ask voters if they were willing to spend as much as $45 million over 20 or 30 years to fund a wide-ranging project that could include drainage improvements along A1A, installation of underground utilities and significant roadway and walking path improvements.<br /> “This is an opportunity for residents to approve a large public project that will transform the landscape of Highland Beach,” Town Manager Marshall Labadie said. <br /> Commissioners agreed to bring the funding for the major renovations along A1A to voters after hearing presentations from a representative of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, which is coordinating the project with the town, and the owner of an engineering firm, Captec, that provided cost estimates for the project. <br /> The firm estimated costs that include $16.55 million for the drainage portion of the project, $17.2 million for underground utilities and $11.25 million for improvements — including beautification, resurfacing and landscaping — to the town’s 3-mile walking path. The $11.25 million would also include improvements along A1A such as lighted crosswalks and designated bike lanes. <br /> The plan presented to the commission last month included eight pocket parks along the walking path — now called Ocean Walk — and widening it from 6 feet to 10 feet. The proposal included using colored, water-permeable surfacing with embedded lighting. Other elements, including entry monuments and possibly gazebos, are also included. <br /> While Labadie said there might be limited flexibility in the cost of the underground utilities and the drainage project, commissioners could decide to scale back — or make other changes — to the Ocean Walk project. <br /> “The final project will be a partnership between residents and the commission,” he said. <br /> On Jan. 9, residents will gather with commissioners and planners to again share thoughts on the scope of the project. The workshop will provide planners with public input about possible design alternatives to those already presented to the commission.<br /> In early December, a few dozen residents shared their thoughts on what they saw as priorities for renovations to A1A. Those suggestions were incorporated into the plan presented to commissioners later in the month. <br /> Some residents who participated in the workshop complained they were “blindsided” because they were told not to worry about costs during the course of their discussions. <br /> Labadie said the project likely would be financed through either a 20- or 30-year bond issue and provided commissioners with estimates on what that would mean to taxpayers. <br /> Were the town to finance the project for 30 years, the owner of property with a taxable value of $500,000 would pay approximately $576 a year or about $48 a month for improvements, according to town projections. Over 30 years, that taxpayer would pay about $17,280 for the project, assuming the taxable value and interest rate remained the same. <br /> If the project were financed over 20 years, the owner of property with a taxable value of $500,000 would pay $713.04 a year or $59.42 a month, according to the town. Over 20 years, the property owner would pay $14,260, assuming the taxable value and interest rate remain the same. <br /> Were the homeowner to sell the property, the new owner would be responsible for paying the remaining debt through annual taxes. <br /> Labadie, however, cautioned that the $45 million figure — and the estimated cost to taxpayers — is the “not to exceed” number and does not include any funding for the project from grants or from other agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation. <br /> Because the road is owned by the state transportation department, most if not all elements of the project must receive FDOT approval. <br /> FDOT is repaving A1A as part of a “Three R” project (replace, repair and refurbish), which is driving the town’s schedule since much of the work can be done in conjunction with the state project. <br /> The Three R project is a five-year process and is done only once every 20 years. <br /> As FDOT replaces, repairs and refurbishes the road, the town hopes it can piggyback onto the project and make improvements while A1A is already being upgraded. <br /> The town is under a tight deadline to get things done.<br /> To have a say in the work during the project, the town is required to make a financial commitment prior to the middle of March. <br /> To make that financial commitment, however, the town needs voter approval. To get the question on the ballot for the March 12 election, town officials must submit ballot language to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections by the middle of this month.<br /> “One of the challenges of this whole project has been competing timelines,” Labadie said. <br /> Members of the Town Commission voted 4-0, with then-Mayor Carl Feldman absent, to bring approval of the bond issue to the voters. <br /> “We’re giving this to the public,” Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker said. “Let the people decide.” <br /> Vice Mayor Alysen A. Nila agreed, saying she thinks there are many residents in town who favor the project. <br /> “This is a once-in-20-year chance to get something done,” she said. “If you don’t want to spend $48 a month, then don’t vote for it. But I know a lot of people who do.”</p></div>Highland Beach: Commission at odds over walking path projecthttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-commission-at-odds-over-walking-path-project2017-08-30T13:25:55.000Z2017-08-30T13:25:55.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong><br /><br />Highland Beach’s efforts to enhance safety and aesthetics by replacing a 3-mile long walking path and improving the surrounding areas finally gained traction this year with the formation of an Ad Hoc Citizens Streetscape Committee, but now it seems the town’s long-discussed streetscape project may have hit a temporary road block. <br />At a Town Council workshop meeting late last month, Mayor Carl Feldman received a lukewarm reception from two commissioners when presenting the committee’s recommendations for improvements and a proposed $2.1 million budget for the project. <br />After three months of discussion, the committee, chaired by Feldman, brought forth a series of recommendations that included spending close to $1 million to replace the aging asphalt sidewalk on the west side of State Road A1A with a 5-foot-wide, decorative concrete walking path. <br />The committee also recommended replacing gateways on the north and south ends of town, adding new signage, lighting and landscaping. In addition, the recommendation includes installing four 12-foot decorative posts for street signs that would include the town’s logo.<br />In its latest proposed budget, the committee included $342,000 for landscaping along the path as well, although there were no specifics on where the landscaping would go.<br />During discussion of the project, Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker said she supported the concept of a streetscape — and has for years — but thinks the proposal needs more work. <br />“I cannot support this streetscape project at this time,” she said. “We can’t afford to spend $2 million and not do it right.” <br />While commissioners said they hoped to have the proposal finalized in time to bring it to voters in the March 2018 election, Zelniker suggested taking a step back and delaying the vote until the November 2018 general election so they could do more research. <br />Feldman proposed paying for the streetscape from town coffers and repaying the money with funds from the town’s portion of a 1-cent countywide sales tax increase rather than borrow money, but the plan still must be approved by voters because a referendum is required for any town spending over $350,000. <br />“We need a comprehensive plan,” Zelniker said. “A quick streetscape is not the answer for our town, as beautiful as it is.” <br />Both Zelniker and Commissioner Elyse Riesa said they would like to see the Florida Department of Transportation, which has oversight for the state road, more involved in discussions of the project. <br />“It’s my opinion that FDOT should have a seat at the table,” said Riesa, who, like Zelniker, thinks the scope of the project had never been clearly defined. “We need to coordinate with them.” <br />Both commissioners expressed concern that a transportation department drainage project along A1A could have an impact on the streetscape project and said they need more information about the drainage project from the state. <br />Feldman countered, saying the town had been communicating with DOT on several portions of the project. <br />The mayor said he was concerned about moving the referendum back to November 2018 and hoped to keep it moving forward. <br />“If we wait to do all the things you’re asking for, it will never get done,” he said. <br />Faced with a potential stalemate that could slow down the streetscape project, Town Manager Valerie Oakes suggested commissioners revisit the issue at a meeting in early September and go through the project’s budget together line-by-line. <br />“The commission needs to determine the scope of work,” she said. </p></div>Highland Beach: Walkway makeover recommendedhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-walkway-makeover-recommended2017-08-02T16:02:27.000Z2017-08-02T16:02:27.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960733655,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960733655,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960733655?profile=original" /></a><em>The path runs the length of Highland Beach on the west side of A1A and needs repairs. <strong>Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
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<p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong><br /><br /> Highland Beach’s aging 3-mile walking path could become safer, more attractive and even more durable if town commissioners — and then voters — approve a recommendation from an ad hoc committee of residents. <br /> “Our goal is to have a walkway that will last for many years, that is safe, and that will be aesthetically appealing without great cost to the taxpayers of Highland Beach,” said Mayor Carl Feldman, who chairs the committee. <br /> Later this month Feldman and other committee members are likely to bring a proposal for $1.5 million to $1.7 million of improvements to the town’s popular walking path on the west side of State Road A1A. <br /> A large portion of the budget would go toward tearing up the existing asphalt sidewalk and replacing it with decorative aggregate concrete embedded with crushed oyster shell. <br />“It’s more of a premium, but this committee decided it wanted something special — and it will be,” Feldman said. <br /> The proposal likely will include creating signage and landscaping at the north and south ends of town, as well as improvements to some swale areas to eliminate dangerous drop-offs from the sidewalk. <br /> The proposal also includes placing lighted pedestrian crosswalk signs at all eight of the town’s crosswalks. The Florida Department of Transportation will need to approve the plan for the entire project. <br /> Feldman is proposing the town use an estimated $200,000 a year it will receive from the recently approved countywide 1-cent sales tax increase to cover the cost of the project. <br /> The town would use money in reserves to pay for the project and then use the money from the sales tax to replenish the reserve fund. “The most important thing is that there is little if any burden to the taxpayers in Highland Beach,” he said. <br /> Commissioners have been discussing improvements to the 5-foot-wide walking path for years, after the town has continually patched cracks and made other temporary repairs. <br /> “We have to do something because there is so much deterioration in the asphalt,” Feldman said. “It’s not a safety issue yet, but it could become one.” <br /> Feldman said the streetscape committee will meet again this month before bringing a final proposal to town commissioners. If approved, the proposal would then be put before voters in March, since the town requires voter approval for spending above $350,000. <br /> If approved by voters, work on the project could begin as early as next summer. <br /> Should the proposal come before voters, town leaders would hold a series of informational meetings prior to the referendum. <br /> “We want to keep the public involved so they know what they’ll be getting,” Feldman said.</p></div>Highland Beach: Committee to recommend walking path changeshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-committee-to-recommend-walking-path-changes2017-05-03T18:00:27.000Z2017-05-03T18:00:27.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong><br /><br /> Town commissioners are hoping a few qualified residents can help them determine the look and scope of a long-discussed enhancement to Highland Beach’s walking path, which is more than 3 miles long. <br /> For years, town leaders have talked about enhancing the walking path, which runs along the west side of State Road A1A for the town’s entire length, with a streetscape plan. But no clear idea of what the revisions should look like has ever been determined. Past discussions have ranged from simply resurfacing the path to creating an entire streetscape complete with decorative benches, lamps and welcoming entrances. <br /> Last month, after receiving an update of a proposed 2009 plan for the walkway from the engineering firm of Mathews Consulting, town leaders decided the best way to move forward is to get input from residents. <br /> At their May 2 meeting, commissioners agreed to form an ad-hoc Citizens Streetscape Committee and charge it with bringing back recommendations for a conceptual plan and an idea of the scope of work to be done.<br /> The five-member committee, made up of residents with expertise in the areas of real estate, architecture, construction, finance and law, will also recommend what materials should be used in construction of the path and what landscape features, if any, should be added. <br /> A resolution creating the committee, approved unanimously, spells out 10 tasks for the committee, including devising a uniform theme for streetscape features and recommendations of exterior enhancements of town-owned buildings facing the path.<br /> The committee, which will sunset when its report is completed or no later than the end of the year, will make its recommendation to commissioners, who will bring a proposal to voters as early as March.<br /> Those named to the committee are residents Bruce Giacomo, Michael Kravit, Louis Reidenberg, June Blake and Paul Resnick.<br /> “We have people with amazing skills and qualifications in this town,” said Vice Mayor Bill Weitz, supported creating the committee. <br /> Both Weitz and Mayor Carl Feldman, who will lead the committee, agreed with other commissioners who want to make sure residents have an opportunity for input and will be made aware of the final proposal prior to the referendum. <br /> “The committee will keep the residents and the commission informed,” Feldman said, adding that the committee meetings will be open to the public, with meeting dates and times posted.<br /> Town Manager Valerie Oakes said once commissioners agree on a walkway plan, the town will hold several presentations and create an information campaign to assure residents have a chance to fully understand the proposal. <br /> In their updated report to the commission, engineers from Mathews Consulting provided the town with costs for a variety of options for the walkway project but did not make any specific recommendations. <br /> “The Mathews study provides insights into costs and various approaches to a streetscape plan,” said Public Works Director Ed Soper.<br /> The study looked at the cost of using various materials for the replacement of the walking path, from concrete to asphalt to stamped — or patterned — concrete, decorative aggregate and pavers. It also looked at the costs associated with several landscape features. <br /> Commissioners are hoping the committee can use the study as a guideline as it works toward consensus on how to move forward. <br /> “Obviously, people have different ideas,” Weitz said.</p></div>Highland Beach: Short-range but complete fix explored for walk pathhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-short-range-but-complete-fix-explored-for-walk-pat2013-01-02T17:44:35.000Z2013-01-02T17:44:35.000ZDeborah Hartz-Seeleyhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/DeborahHartzSeeley<div><p><span><b>By Rich Pollack</b></span><span> </span></p>
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<p>The cracks are back along Highland Beach’s 3.5 miles of walking paths, and town leaders say something needs to be done soon before someone gets hurt.</p>
<p>The Town Commission, in its December meeting, agreed to explore the cost of putting a 1-inch asphalt coating along the entire walking path, rather than spending a budgeted $75,000 to do patchwork repair in the most hazardous spots. The town also will be exploring the cost and feasibility of removing tree roots that have created hazardous conditions on the path.</p>
<p>“The 1-inch overlay of asphalt would fill in the holes and cracks in the walk path and appear like a brand-new walk path on the surface,” Public Works Director Jack Lee wrote in a memo to Town Manager Kathleen Weiser. “It would mitigate the chances of someone tripping on the walk path.”</p>
<p>A contractor already doing work in Highland Beach estimated the cost of the overlay to be about $125,000.</p>
<p>Town commissioners agreed that any work done to the path now would be only a temporary fix until the town can move ahead with a complete overhaul of the path. That extensive repair, which could include landscaping and other beautification efforts, is estimated to cost anywhere from $400,000 to $1 million. No timetable has been set for the overhaul, which is part of the town’s long-range capital plan.</p>
<p>“The one-inch overlay is a nice Band-Aid that adds a safety element to the walk path,” Weiser said. <span>Ú</span></p></div>