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Plantation board backs letter supporting Bloomberg Philanthropies asphalt‑art grant for Midtown
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Board approved a motion to support a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant application for asphalt art in Midtown and authorized staff to finalize a letter of support; members raised questions about maintenance, location and coordination with planned road‑diet projects.
The City of Plantation Planning & Zoning Board on Jan. 14 voted to support a city application for a Bloomberg Philanthropies asphalt‑art grant for portions of Midtown and authorized staff to work with the board chair to finalize a letter of support for the application.
City staff described the proposal as a traffic‑calming and community‑engagement effort to apply artwork to road surfaces and related public assets in the Midtown area. Staff said the grant application is due at the end of January and that the grantor requires a maintenance plan; staff reported the application asks whether the city intends to maintain the artwork beyond an initial two‑year period.
Board members questioned whether painting road surfaces slows drivers and about long‑term maintenance costs if artwork is defaced or damaged. One board member described seeing similar temporary work that lasted months and became part of community events; another said some examples have proven effective at encouraging drivers to slow down. Staff said the proposed Midtown locations are within corridors identified in the Midtown MMTP (the city's multi‑modal transportation plan) and that upcoming consultant presentations will show design alternatives for 6th Street and 78th Street.
Board members also asked whether the grant work could be timed or coordinated with the city's road‑diet and protected bike‑lane planning for the same streets. Staff said they expect to coordinate the grant artwork with roadway alternatives once grant funding and project timing are confirmed. The board approved the motion to support the application and to authorize staff to finalize a letter substantially in the form provided and to make de minimis edits.
The motion passed by roll call: Miss Gelfond — no; Mister Stahl — yes; Miss Demby Burger — yes; Mister Corman — yes; Mister Freeman — yes; Mister Goldstein — yes. The board did not commit city capital funds at the meeting; staff said maintenance plans and future decisions about upkeep would be part of the grant application and project planning.
