Coral Springs, Hollywood and Pompano Beach stories

Coral Springs holds Octoberfest

From David Volz

The Coral Springs Oktoberfest was a successful and fun event. People got together to enjoy German music, beer and plenty of food on the lawn in front of City Hall. There were fun activities including corn hole and dancing and other contests. Music was provided by the Swinging Bavarians. They performed many well-known German songs and led the famous chicken dance. People enjoyed spending time with family and friends and listening to music.

Mike and Maria Tempesta enjoyed having a beer and being a part of the Oktoberfest. “This is great,” said Maria.

“This is a good opportunity for people to get together and have some fun,” said Lynn Martzall, spokesperson for Coral Springs.


Hollywood wants a grant to install traffic calming items

From David Volz

The City of Hollywood is applying for a grant to install traffic calming measures, such as speed tables and traffic circles, at identified, high traffic locations City-wide. The primary purpose of this project is to slow vehicular traffic in an effort to improve overall safety and allow people of all ages and abilities to safely travel to and from their chosen destinations, including schools and retail locations in the community. The grant process, in part, requires “community support” for the project. The City is offering a number of online options through the city website where residents can offer support for the project.

 
Up to $3 million in grant funding is available for this project as part of the Complete Streets and other Localized Initiative Programs (CSLIP), administered by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization.
 
In recent years, the city has installed over 252 traffic calming devices, primarily speed tables or speed humps. The need for additional traffic calming is primarily due to growth and requests by residents to control the volume of traffic and/or speed on neighborhood streets. A recent traffic calming study and master plan has identified over 5 dozen locations that could benefit from traffic calming measures.

The project will include construction on, 45 speed tables, 13 roundabouts, the installation  of 9 electronic feedback signs and the construction of various lane and intersection improvements


Pompano Beach wants to hear from residents regarding downtown redevelopment

From David Volz

The City of Pompano Beach is listening, and acting upon, residents’ concerns regarding phase one of the downtown redevelopment, the improvements to the Atlantic and Dixie corridor. City officials have been reviewing emails and social media comments about the new lane alignment.

While most residents understand the need to create a vibrant new Downtown, the current traffic issues are problematic. To mitigate this traffic congestion, the City is working with Broward County to better coordinate the traffic signals which will improve many of the traffic flow issues.

“We hear you,” said Mayor Rex Hardin. “And we understand because we drive these roads every day with you. The new traffic signal timing is being implemented and will greatly improve traffic flow. The Downtown redevelopment will not happen overnight, but the result will be a tremendous enhancement for our City, just as the beachfront redevelopment was. We all desire a world-class Downtown, and the economic success it will bring, so we ask for your cooperation during this transitional time period.”

This project is part of a large redevelopment plan of the new Downtown. This traffic corridor is the starting point of that plan. It may be hard to envision right now as an entranceway, because of the condition of the blighted intersection as it is today. West of Dixie Highway currently has eleven lanes of traffic. That is three lanes more than Interstate-95! Successful cities have a very good balance between cars and pedestrians, and this intersection is inhospitable to both. Crossing ten lanes of traffic is not only extremely dangerous for pedestrians, but it’s also incompatible for the future downtown.

With this realignment, including beautification of trees, wider sidewalks and safer crosswalks, the City will have a safer and more beautiful entrance to the new Downtown. This initial phase allows the City time to analyze the traffic. The traffic lights will be reprogramed for better flow during the pre-construction phase, as well as after construction, based on traffic flow and will be continuously monitored.