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Hollywood CRA approves $3.33M FPL agreement to install downtown LED street lights
Summary
The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved a 10‑year agreement with Florida Power & Light to install 138 LED pedestrian lights downtown, with an upfront cost of about $3.33 million and a monthly service fee of $5,300; staff said installation should take about 8–12 months.
The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously authorized a 10‑year lighting agreement with Florida Power & Light Company on Oct. 1 to replace and add pedestrian street lighting in the downtown CRA district.
The CRA will pay an upfront installation cost of approximately $3,328,828 and an ongoing monthly service charge of $5,300 under the agreement brought to the board for consideration. Francisco Diaz, project manager with the Hollywood CRA, told the board the design uses a staggered array of decorative LED fixtures to raise photometric levels along 19th and 20th avenues to a recommended pedestrian target of about 1 foot‑candle.
Why it matters: CRA staff and FPL framed the deal as a cost‑effective way to improve pedestrian safety, reduce energy use and shift maintenance responsibility to the utility. The CRA director recommended approval, and the board voted to proceed.
What the presentation said: Diaz showed existing conditions where large gaps between existing cobra‑head fixtures led to areas that are “pretty much pitch dark,” and said the proposed layout would raise those gaps to about 1–1.2 foot‑candles. He estimated the full design‑to‑construction process would take eight to ten months and noted FPL will own and maintain the lights after installation.
FPL’s installation method and tariff risk: Alex Acosta of Florida Power & Light said the conduit that feeds each new pole will be installed by directional boring, a trenchless approach that “minimizes the impacts to the areas.” The board asked whether the monthly streetlight tariff in the agreement is fixed; Acosta explained tariffs are set through filings with the Florida Public Service Commission and can change — historically such filings have sometimes resulted in lower monthly service fees. Staff and FPL said the tariff is subject to periodic regulatory filings and therefore could rise or fall.
Solar vs. electric LEDs: Board members asked why the CRA chose utility‑owned electric LED fixtures rather than solar alternatives. CRA staff and FPL described maintenance challenges with neighborhood solar systems — including frequent cleaning requirements and battery replacement/disposal costs — and cited nearby municipalities that reverted from solar programs because of those operational burdens.
Board action: Board member Calari moved to approve the agreement and Board member Quintana seconded. Chair Levy called for the vote and the item carried unanimously.
What’s next: With the agreement executed, FPL will complete final design, permitting and procurement and begin construction; staff said the CRA will coordinate a landscape‑trimming procurement so trees do not conflict with pole installation.
