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Costs Impede Cleanup Plans For U.S. 301

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Sometimes the grass in the medians on U.S. 301 grows waist high.

And forget about the garbage.

That's not good public relations for a city that has pumped much time and energy into beautifying its historic downtown.

Problem is, the medians along the city's most well-traveled thoroughfare, Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills, are maintained by the state Department of Transportation, not city workers.

Recently, city Councilman Clyde Bracknell asked the city to look into taking over the maintenance of 301's medians, a project he said would make the thoroughfare more aesthetically appealing to residents and visitors. He had the support of his colleagues on the council.

Then the numbers rolled in.

At last week's city council meeting, City Manager Steve Spina told the council that the DOT would give the city $11,000 to mow the medians and pick up garbage. That simply isn't enough money to make the project worthwhile, he said.

"I think the standards we'd want to do would cost a lot more than the $11,000," he said.

Plus, DOT workers mow the grass with tractors; the city uses riding mowers - another potential expense to consider, Councilwoman Celia Graham pointed out.

With uncertain economic times and calls from Tallahassee to slash local government spending, other council members expressed reservations about taking on such a project.

"We could be biting off more than we can chew," Councilman Luis Lopez said.

Still, Bracknell made a motion to take over maintenance of 301, but didn't garner enough support.

Now it's back to the drawing board for the city to find ways to make 301, which city officials call the "gateway to the city," more appealing.

The city could work with the DOT to help with mowing when the grass gets too high, city officials said at the meeting. Other options previously discussed include applying for grants to install pavers or plant low-maintenance grass.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

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