PALM
BAY -- Adriana Rincon drives Palm Bay Road a lot and said planned improvements between Conlan Boulevard and U.S. 1 are sorely
needed.
"It would also be more safe. It's crazy now," she said.
Palm Bay resident Enos Lord said he agrees.
"This
would be a change for the better. I like it," he said, looking at plans for a city logo and crosswalk areas in front of Harris
Corp.
Bart Pair, a project engineer from Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. of Melbourne, outlined plans for logos embedded in the roadway
at major intersections and a roundabout at Main Street, possibly with a fountain or clock at its center.
More lights would be added, as well as landscaping with trees and shrubs. Eight-foot sidewalks would be on both sides of
the road.
Members of the city's Bayfront Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday voted to recommend that the City Council approve the concept
and authorize more detailed drawings.
The estimated cost is more than $1 million. "You cannot afford to do this all in one fell swoop, so you'll have to prioritize
the areas," said Tim Ford, city planner.
The agency held off on making a recommendation about sidewalks and boardwalks from Bay Boulevard to Stearns Point Park.
Members said they need time to consider what part should be concrete sidewalks and what part would work better as a boardwalk
for better drainage. "I need more of a visual concept for this," member Edie Backius said.
A part of Bay Boulevard washed out by Hurricane Jeanne should remain closed, agency members said. They'll ask the City
Council to keep a section of the roadway between Kirkland Road and Castaway Point closed at the request of the police and
fire departments.
