Residents and board members on Sept. 3 urged the City of Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to pursue mid‑block pedestrian crossings on State Road A1A instead of, or in addition to, a traffic signal planned at Carolina Street.

The request came during the CRA’s 9 a.m. citizens’ comment period from Bob Glickman of Hollywood Beach and Richard (Rich) Chappesi, who asked the board to “postpone the Carolina Street traffic light … so we can look at” mid‑block crossings and to be “involved throughout the design process, including meetings with DOT.”

The petition matters because new FDOT guidance has loosened previous volume thresholds for flashing beacon crosswalks, potentially allowing more mid‑block treatments where there is pedestrian attraction. CRA Executive Director Rick Meininger said FDOT now permits flashing beacons at locations with “something that attracts pedestrian activity,” provided there is a raised median or refuge. Meininger told the board: “You may be able to fit them both in, but it takes a little bit of finesse.”

Why it matters: the Carolina Street signal was approved earlier with developer cost share; residents argued the built environment and new FDOT policy make mid‑block crossings a safer and lower‑cost alternative that could better serve pedestrian flows between the west side and the beach.

Details and board direction
Staff said the Carolina traffic signal is ready for installation once Florida Power & Light (FPL) removes overhead lines; Susan Goldberg, deputy director of the CRA, reported FPL had indicated lines would be pulled in December. Goldberg said: “As soon as the lines are pulled down in that area, we are all ready to start the construction of the installation.” Meininger and other staff told the board there is time before mobilization to study additional crossings.

The board directed the CRA to pursue three steps: (1) have consultant Kimley‑Horn evaluate mid‑block crossing locations and spacing; (2) coordinate a site visit and permitting discussions with FDOT to confirm where rapid/rectangular flashing beacons (RRFBs) or hybrid pedestrian signals are feasible; and (3) keep residents who requested the changes involved in the design and FDOT meetings. Meininger said the study should assess median width, ADA ramp locations, drainage and emergency‑vehicle access.

Discussion versus decision
No formal motion was made to cancel or rescind the previously approved Carolina Street signal. Multiple board members said they supported pursuing both signalized pedestrian crossings and mid‑block treatments if FDOT and engineering analysis support them. Susan Goldberg said the Carolina project is on hold only until FPL completes its work and that staff will return with updates; the board asked staff to report back before any construction begins.

Community input and next steps
Glickman and Chappesi emphasized they were speaking for Central Beach residents and said the proposed Carolina signal “does not affect us personally but it affects Central Beach dramatically,” and asked for postponement rather than cancellation. Staff will ask Kimley‑Horn to inventory candidate mid‑block sites and produce a narrative justification for FDOT; Meininger said a short consultant inventory and FDOT coordination could be completed in the interval before FPL’s December schedule.

End note
The board agreed to pursue the engineering review and FDOT coordination while not formally cancelling the Carolina signal. Staff will present the consultant findings and a recommended path forward before construction is mobilized.