Florida Planning Magazine | Winter 2018

FLORIDA PLANNING A Publication of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association

Winter 2018

www.floridaplanning.org

alton, AICP

By Christine D

rk Sanford’s Paw Pa Village is Quite

Shortly after Sanford was incorporated in 1877, Henry Shelton Sanford hired E.R. Trafford to draw a plat of the new city. The city was laid out on a grid with land set aside for churches, schools, and parks. Five of the original park sites dating to 1877 still exist today, one of which is now the site of Paw Park of Historic Sanford. The historic park became an off-leash dog park in 2000, due to a citizen led effort.

The park quickly became one of the most utilized in the city. Due to its popularity, by 2013 the Sanford City Commission

Fetch(!)-ing

continued on page 4

OTHER FEATURES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

6

2018 Call For Presentations

7

Downtown West Palm Beach

10

Community Art Downtown Pensacola

13

Blending Creativity With Function

15

APA Florida Circut Rider Series

16

Planning an Artistic Community in 9 Steps

19

Public Art with a Civic Purpose

21

Crosswalk Beautification Benefits

25

President’s Message - p. 3 Member Spotlight Q&A - p. 29 APA Working for You - p. 30

Casselberry In Memoriam - p. 31 Mosaic Mural Planners on the Move - p. 32 at City Hall

Consultants Directory - p. 33 Events - back page

The Florida Chapter of APA provides statewide leadership in the development of sustainable communities by advocating excellence in planning, providing professional development for its members, and working to protect and enhance the natural and built environments.

[APA FLORIDA] KEY CONTACTS - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Name

Phone E-mail

APA Florida Executive Committee President Andre Anderson, AICP

407-957-8428

president@floridaplanning.org

President-Elect

Laura Everitt, AICP, Esq., LEED GA

813-327-5450

presidentelect@floridaplanning.org

Heart of Florida Section

Marisa Barmby, AICP

863-534-7130

heartoffl@floridaplanning.org

VP-Professional Development

Henry Bittaker, AICP

561-523-0678

profdevelopment@floridaplanning.org

VP Conference Services

Wiatt Bowers, AICP

904-363-8488

conferencesvcs@floridaplanning.org

University Liaison

Jeff Brown

850-644-8519

university@floridaplanning.org

First Coast Section

Ennis Davis, AICP

904-396-5727

firstcoast@floridaplanning.org

Orlando Metro Section

Joshua DeVries, AICP

407-742-7813

orlandometro@floridaplanning.org

Sun Coast Section

Melissa Dickens, AICP

813-273-3774

suncoast@floridaplanning.org

Atlantic Coast Section

Mike Disher, AICP

356-736-5959

atlanticcoast@floridaplanning.org

San Felasco Section

Forrest Eddelton

352-334-5022

sanfelasco@floridaplanning.org

Secretary

Kim Glas-Castro, AICP, LEED AP

561-434-5086

secretary@floridaplanning.org

Promised Lands Section

Jason Green, AICP

941-505-1700

promisedlands@floridaplanning.org

VP Certification Maintenance

Allara Mills Gutcher, AICP

850-319-9180

certmaintenance@floridaplanning.org

VP Communications

Michelle Heinrich, AICP

813-276-2167

communications@floridaplanning.org

YPG Representative

Brandon Henry

813-272-5940

ypg@floridaplanning.org

Student Representative

Daniel Hubbard

850-209-7409

students@floridaplanning.org

VP Section Affairs

Doug Kelly, AICP, CSI

321-319-3213

sectionaffairs@floridaplanning.org

Treasurer

Tony LaColla, AICP

813-273-3774

treasurer@floridaplanning.org

Capital Area Section

Devan Leavins

850-891-6441

capitalarea@floridaplanning.org f

Emerald Coast Section

Catherine McCloy, AICP

850-236-6770

emeraldcoast@floridaplanning.org

Broward Section

Robert Modys

954-828-4911

broward@floridaplanning.org

Gold Coast Section

Edward Ng, AICP, MPP, MPI

305-594-0735

goldcoast@floridaplanning.org

Treasure Coast Section

Alessandria Palmer

561-366-1100

treasurecoast@floridaplanning.org

VP Member Services

Marcie Stenmark, AICP

727-724-1555

membership@floridaplanning.orgta

Immediate Past President

Melissa Zornitta, AICP

813-272-5940

pastpresident@floridaplanning.org ff

Executive Director

Julia “Alex“ Magee

850-201-3272

fapa@floridaplanning.org

Ad. Assistant/Bookkeeper

Amanda Pickles

850-201-3272

adminbk@floridaplanning.org

Communications Coordinator Patti Shea

850-201-3272

staff@floridaplanning.org

Legislative Representative

Lester Abberger

850-524-2779

lesterabberger@nettally.com

Webmaster (Consultant)

Summer Taylor

888-949-5487 x706 summer@exaktmarketing.com

All Other Inquiries, contact APA Florida at 1-850-201-3272 or e-mail fapa@floridaplanning.org.

2 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Public Art In Our Community

When you think of public art, for many, this conjures up images of historic bronze statues in a park or marble figures in the lobby of a municipal building. But public art is so much more and takes on a wide range of forms, sizes, and media. This public art may be temporary or permanent and include, murals, sculpture, kinetic and interactive structures, memorials, landscape architectural designs, community art, digital media, and even integrated public safety artwork such as crosswalks.

The one thing that they should all have in common is that they are Art in Public Spaces. This means that the art is free and accessible to everyone to view and enjoy. So, this issue of Florida Planning is dedicated to exploring the many forms of public art throughout our state and how they help shape our communities.

The opportunities to integrate art in public spaces are endless and are as varied as you can imagine. One of the latest trends in public art is to integrate it with everyday activities such as pedestrian crosswalks, wayfinding, and public utility infrastructure. This takes what was once considered basic required public infrastructure and makes it public art.

In this issue, you will read about how the City of Casselberry discovered an old mosaic in an historic building and read about the innovative ways that the City of Tampa uses signs as art, from the parking garage paintings, projection art, moving art, such as their trolleys, utility boxes, and even the planters at the Tampa Museum of Art and River Walk.

In this issue, you will read about how the City of Casselberry discovered an old mosaic in an historic building and read about the innovative ways that the City of Tampa uses signs as art, from the parking garage paintings, projection art, moving art, such as their trolleys, utility boxes, and even the planters at the Tampa Museum of Art and River Walk. Explore how the City of Fort Lauderdale has transformed an everyday activity of crossing the street into an art form with their Crosswalks Art Project.

Whatever the form or meaning behind the artists’ intent, art in public spaces has expanded from bronze statues and marble figures to a wide variety of installations which create a greater sense of identity and a better understanding of where we live, work, and play. Art has the positive effect of creating memorable places and experiences for all to enjoy.

So, take a moment to explore and see how public art may have transformed your community! As always, I would love to hear from you. Please send me a note at president@floridaplanning.org Until next time, continue to #PlanFlorida.

Andre Anderson, AICP APA Florida President

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 3

[SANFORD] PAW PARK

continued from cover page

Images courtesy of Christine Dalton

The new park design features masonry gateways on the north and south entrances, small dog and large dog areas, a large grass paw print with play and agility equipment, self-filling and draining dog water bowls that are controlled by sensors, fire hydrant misters, informational kiosk, benches, cans, planters, refurbished and new lighting, and public art.

designated Paw Park Village, which includes Paw Park of Historic Sanford and the surrounding area. After this designation, the city was able to obtain funds for revitalization of the park and to create onstreet parking, handicap parking, and 10-foot trail path on the east side of the park.

The new park design features masonry gateways on the north and south entrances, small dog and large dog areas, a large grass paw print with play and agility equipment, self-filling and draining dog water bowls that are controlled by sensors, fire hydrant misters, informational kiosk, benches, cans, planters, refurbished and new lighting, and public art.

Elements of the Friends of Paw Park’s 2001 park fundraising efforts and sponsorships were retained in the park redesign, such as walkways, lighting, and a stone fountain. It is envisioned that the trail path will someday connect with the Goldsboro Trail to the southwest and Sanford’s 4 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

popular RiverWalk to the north. Revitalization of the park and surrounding improvements were made possible by a U.S. State Road 17-92 Community Redevelopment Agency grant, Recreation Impact Fees, and Second Generation Tax revenues.

COMMUNITY ART PROJECT During the construction phase of the park redesign, Seminole County 2013 Artist of the Year Jeff Sonksen led a community art project in support of Pet Rescue by Judy, a “no-kill” pet rescue and shelter facility located within Paw Park Village. The community art project brought hundreds of citizens together over many months to paint fence panels outlined in a “paint by number” style format.

The designs were created based on photographs of community pets (past and present). The panels were painted during countless painting continued on page 5

[SANFORD] PAW PARK

continued from page 4

parties, monthly Alive After Five street parties, and Art Walk events. Upon completion, the fence panels were installed in various locations in Paw Park Village. On the day of the park ribbon cutting and unveiling of the artwork, officers and representatives from the Sanford Police Department, City Commissioner Patrick Austin, and Public Art Commission members painted panels of the City’s four K-9 officers, which were subsequently installed as the park’s centerpiece.

MEMORIAL CHAINSAW SCULPTURE One of the signature elements of the park is its beautiful tree canopy. Many of these trees are historic and were planted early in the city’s development. Great care has been taken to create a park plan that retains all healthy trees. When it was discovered that two trees were diseased and required removal, a citizen effort led by Commissioner Patty Mahany focused on retaining one trunk for a chainsaw sculpture.

This effort proved unsuccessful due to the significant deterioration and hollow condition of the trunk. Undeterred by this setback, the donors commissioned a chainsaw sculpture of a large, reclaimed cypress trunk.

Carved by chainsaw artist Mark Rice, the sculpture was “Created in honor of all of our beloved pets, past and present, who bring joy to our lives.”

There are more public art projects planned for Paw Park Village in 2018, ensuring that when pet owners visit the park that they enjoy the experience just as much as their four-legged friends.

Christine Dalton, AICP, is the Historic Preservation Officer for the city of Sanford. She can be reached at christine.dalton@sanfordfl.gov.

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 5

2018 APA FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS Palm Beach County Convention Center l September 11-14, 2018

Ahoy! The Treasure Coast Section is pleased to welcome the APA Florida Annual Conference to Downtown West Palm Beach! We will be meeting September 11-14, 2018 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The Convention Center is in an ideal locale - conveniently located across the street from CityPlace, a mixed-use complex, with world-class shopping, restaurants, entertainment and residential space in the heart of downtown. And best of all, more than 1,000 hotel rooms are only a few steps away.

The Treasure Coast is comprised of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee County’s. We enjoy pristine coastal areas in the east, as well as rural environmental and agricultural influences in the west. The region is home to portions of Lake Okeechobee, the northern extent of the Everglades, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, The Savannahs, and the St. Lucie and Loxahatchee Rivers.

This large regional planning area faces major storms similar to, and representative of, most of the State. From post-hurricane and housing challenges to mobility and mass transit obstacles, and economic and environmental justice trials, it’s now time for clear sailing.

This year we call on you to help navigate the “Treasure Map to Florida’s Future”. We are looking for dynamic and interesting session proposals, especially in the topic areas listed below. We also welcome research projects at the university level from both professors and students that would be of interest to our membership.

Weathering the Storm This Panel Track focuses on resilience/climate change, disaster planning, post hurricane challenges (workforce/temporary housing and relocation), renewable energy, sea level rise, climate planning, adaptation strategies, greenhouse gas reductions and other climate/weather related topics.

Steering the Ship This Panel Track is related to transportation, complete streets, transportation-oriented development, driverless cars, mass transit, airports, rail, water taxi, tourism, bicycle planning, ports, walkability, streetscapes, street/roadway design, green highways and streets, transportation and development integrated with transportation planning.

Seas the Bounty This Panel Track centers on economic development, redevelopment, economic justice, environmental justice, neighborhood development, historic preservation, community redevelopment agencies/authorities, gentrification challenges, polluted sites, mixed use, densities, arts districts, business districts and downtown development authorities, urban green spaces, urban agriculture, shared work /office spaces and local economic development.

The Rules of the Sea This Panel Track includes session topics related to Federal and State law and policy such as Florida or Federal legislation, legislative previews/updates, Federal and State housing

and planning related agencies, grant and funding strategies, planning law updates, ethics overviews and scenarios, and other specific legal or policy topics.

Safe Seas & Friendly Harbors This Panel Track includes open space planning, environmental lands conservation and preservation issues, senior/active living, affordable housing, parks/recreation planning, rural lands, agricultural planning, low impact development & stormwater planning, water quality, planning for natural resources such as exotic management or prescribed burning, landscape codes and tree ordinances and enhancing green space.

Getting Your Sea Legs This Panel Track is geared to share knowledge benefitting new planners with topics such as lessons learned, career development, networking, plan-making, data collection, community engagement techniques, good speaking skills, writing and drafting pitfalls, technical tools and mapping, project finance, involvement in professional associations and professional growth.

Shiver Me Timbers!

This Panel Track includes the hottest and emerging issues facing planners nationally and specifically in Florida such as medical marijuana, sober homes/rehab/opioids, historical monuments and community symbols, 1st Amendment issues and sign regulations, charter schools and education planning, low income housing policy, home rule issues, property rights and agency oversight.

Session proposals should be 75 minutes (90 minutes for law and ethics credits). Session proposals are due by 5:00pm on March 30, 2018. Visit www.floridaplanning.org/conference to review the guidelines, to obtain additional information, and to complete the Conference Session Submittal Form. If you have questions, please contact Alex Magee by email at fapa@floridaplanning.org or call 850-201-3272.

6 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

GET TO KNOW YOUR 2018 CONFERENCE HOST CITY

YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY:

Downtown West Palm Beach

By Melissa Hege, AICP During the season, entrance to the downtown and effectively walled off the city one of my favorite center to the water.

The plaza was places to visit is West built at the end of Palm Beach’s Green downtown’s classic Market. It’s not just shopping district the vendors with to connect it to the their colorful food water’s edge. And and flowers in truly the leadership have beautiful and grand the foresight to add plaza overlooking a transparent, glass the water, it’s the transformation that I patiently watched since enclosed event space 2005 when I first became acquainted with the city. It took vision, to host private events. It’s a practical way to extend the plaza’s courage and perseverance when then West Palm Beach Mayor use and really adds a lot of value to the community. and the City Commissioners began planting the seeds for today’s This plaza is versatile and here’s how. downtown. But the genius of the vision was how easily it’s been able to incorporate new trends in urban design.

MIXING HARD It started with a vision to open up the downtown to the SURFACES WITH GRASS intracoastal waterfront with views to Palm Beach – a magnificent The plaza is multiwaterfront promenade, public docks and a grand plaza purpose and pulls double overlooking the water, but was not without controversy. duty with a hard surface for As a fairly vendors and special events young planner, my and a lush grassy surface old firm and I were to break up the hardscape hired to update the and add some green and more casual space. It’s also a great downtown’s master place to set up the annual sand castle Christmas tree. plan and zoning code, but were given PLAZA TREES strict instructions The plaza is loaded with to accept the major them and the effect is quite public improvements lovely. There’s plenty of that had already shade and the trees actually been approved by the community, mainly a new concept for the help to cool the air. plaza, waterfront promenade and government campus. The plan The market booths fit called for moving public buildings to the center of downtown snuggly in between and and demolishing an important library to make space for the plaza create a cozy and comfortable space. pictured above. It was taking up prime real estate at the formal continued on page 8

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 7

[DOWNTOWN] WEST PALM BEACH

continued from page 7

SEATING It doesn’t have to be fancy, but if you’re selling food and you want people to stay and hang out you’ve got to give them a comfortable place to sit. A bench under a shade tree- genius.

Picnic tables, even better.

THE GREEN MARKET This sign brings legitimacy to the entire event. It’s an official registry of all the vendors and a key map of vendor locations. I included it because it makes a temporary event feel more permanent which is reassuring to the customer who can always return to their favorite vendor the following weekend.

And with the success of the plaza and its market, something interesting happened. The City expanded the zone outside of the plaza for walking only. Street closures on market days, help create a larger area for pedestrians to stroll. Again, it’s not fancy or expensive. Temporary barricades which can be easily moved, (unlike their concrete relatives which require heavy machinery) and plastic bollards restrict car traffic during the event. The solution is simple and effective.

And even more interesting (and the point of this blog) were the spin-off activities that grew from the market’s success.

ANTIQUE MARKET First is the Antiques Market on a completely separate street from the Green Market. It’s a separate and complimentary event which fuels the community’s desire for more cool stuff. And this one is right in the street.

BICYCLE TRACK Now as the downtown has become more popular, more people are ditching their cars for bicycles. And with little accommodations for bicycle travel, this agile little city converted half of their waterfront boulevard into a protected bicycle track.

8 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

This is amazing to me. Rather than construct a special bike lane, the city took a relatively low traffic roadway and has adapted it for bikes. The existing median creates a really safe and comfortable barrier between the oncoming traffic and the bikes and it’s all done at a very low cost with a super-fast turnaround.

During market day, this bicycle tent was set up at the end of the bicycle track and next to a bike share station.

And the city is committed to this new biking infrastructure. Check out the permanent bike repair station for the unfortunate biker with the flat tire! And of course, there are plenty of bike racks.

And water stations. When’s the last time you saw a water fountain in Miami?

SEATING Temporary seating across from the plaza expands the area out towards the water for eating and relaxing.

And these people created their own seating on the seawall. It’s a quiet and peaceful place to enjoy lunch.

TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS And the icing on the cake is this fun, artsy miniature golf put put. Still under construction when I took this photo, what a great way to add even more recreational activities to the downtown. I love the color and and whimsy of this design.

And my favorite, this fun play on Monopoly. I felt like I was in the game! Now any city that can incorporate these humorous designs into their landscape is doing something right. They are responding to their community’s needs for fun and stimulating activities that they may never have imagined when their plan was first being designed. And that’s what makes a great plan!

Melissa Hege is an APA Florida member and operates her planning

practice – Melissa Hege City Planning, LLC – from Miami. She also writes about improving our cities through better planning on her blog and contributes to various publications. Visit her today at melissahege.com/blog

Planning | Urban Design Landscape Architecture Economics | Real Estate

Lake Beauty | Orlando

Creating Great Community Places GAI’s Community Solutions Group is an idea-driven strategic consulting practice integrating design, planning, and economics. We are committed to enhancing communities in ways that are practical, sustainable, and authentic to our clients’ needs, while being politically aware, financially feasible, and aesthetically compelling. gaiconsultants.com/communitysolutions

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 9

Art

a Key to Downtown Pensacola Resurgence

By Curt Morse

A

s winner of the 2017 American Planning Association’s Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, Downtown Pensacola is a vibrant and thriving community that has flourished in recent years thanks to public leadership and private investment.

Dating back 450 years as the first European settlement in the United States, Downtown Pensacola today is a vibrant mix of historic cottages, boutique shops, art galleries, award-winning restaurants and turn-of-the-century spaces that are being reimagined by the day.

As more and more people choose to live, work and play in Downtown Pensacola, the area has become a hotbed for local, national and international artists to showcase their work.

From large-scale public art projects to intimate gallery exhibits, the downtown core is brimming with exciting opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

A 250-foot mural depicting the city’s history and cultural landmarks was painted on a downtown parking garage in 2016 becoming the largest public art display in Pensacola’s long history. The city’s Downtown Improvement Board plays a vital role in cultivating an environment that encourages public art. Along with the 3,000-square-foot mural, one current project is the installation of permanent “dance steps” in sidewalks throughout the downtown core. Other inspiring opportunities for visual art are featured in the annual Foo 10 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

All images are courtesy of Dow ntown Pensacol a

Foo Festival where the CUBED Gulf Coast art project recently filled a downtown park with work from 16 local artists depicted on huge 8-foot by 8-foot cubes.

Most recently the international Umbrella Sky Project filled Downtown Pensacola’s Intendencia Street with color and become “selfie central” for thousands of downtown visitors. The Downtown Improvement Board’s installation went up in November as part of the Foo Foo Festival, and consists of hundreds of colorful umbrellas suspended by wire.

The project first began in Agueda, Portugal, and is the brainchild of the creative agency, Sextafeira. Patricia Cunha, creative director of Sextafeira had this to say about the Umbrella Sky Project: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE UMBRELLA SKY PROJECT AND WHEN DID IT BEGIN? The “Umbrella Sky Project” was born in Águeda, in 2012. It’s composed of various colorful art installations spread through the city—the sky of umbrellas that seem to float in the air is the main element of this project.

The idea was inspired by Mary Poppins and it worked so well because it’s so simple and it’s not just a decoration—it provides protection from the sun and rain and brings color to the grey places in the city, and it makes people smile!

HOW ARE THE UMBRELLAS INSTALLED AND HOW LONG DOES INSTALLATION TAKE? The umbrellas are suspended between buildings using a structure we build in the moment. This installation is ephemeral so it’s very subject to environmental factors. In Águeda the project is every year from July 1 until September 30, but in other places it really depends a lot on the weather conditions. continued on page 11

[COMMUNITY] ART

continued from page 10

HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK ON THE INSTALLATION? WILL YOU COME OR DO YOU HAVE CREW THAT YOU SEND? Our team is composed of four women working full-time, but we normally work with a local crew in the project’s assembly. For the Pensacola Umbrella Sky project, unfortunately I won’t be able to come because of a medical procedure, but our team will be very well represented by two of the members.

HOW MANY UMBRELLAS DOES AN INSTALLATION TYPICALLY USE? We have built installations from 100 umbrellas to 6,000. The Pensacola project includes over 300 multi-colored umbrellas.

DO YOU USE A SPECIAL TYPE OF UMBRELLA? That is our secret.

HOW MANY CITIES HAVE YOU INSTALLED THE UMBRELLA SKY PROJECT IN? More than 50 throughout the world. The Pensacola exhibit was only the second in the United States.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE UMBRELLA SKY PROJECT BRINGS TO A COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE IT? Our main goal is a moment of happiness!

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE PROJECT GOING UP IN PENSACOLA? This year’s Foo Foo Festival will be more colorful for sure. We expect thousands of people will come to take pictures and share this amazing event in social media, so it continues to grow and attract more and more people to the city.

Curt Morse is the executive director of the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board. He can be reached at curtm@downtownpensacola.com

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 11

12 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

Blending Creativity with Function in Community Art Initiatives

By Matthew Campbell

I

n recent years, several Pinellas County communities have seen a resurgence of public or community art initiatives unfold, often without public funding. Three such cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Dunedin have developed an immense “creative soul,� as evidenced by their charismatic approach to public art.

Prior to 2000, St. Petersburg was far from being a much-desired arts and entertainment hub. Fast forward to 2018, the downtown now buzzes with a plethora of craft breweries and gastropubs, uniquely appointed shops, and is intricately laced with innumerable life-sized murals, often enveloping once desolate or uninviting building facades, side lots and parking areas.

Just up the road in Clearwater, the Clearwater Arts Alliance, a collaborative nonprofit that works closely with the city of Clearwater to further public art in the City, has successfully blended several genres of public art into the community fabric.

Initiatives of delivering elaborately painted pianos to local businesses, wrapping traffic signal electrical boxes with local artist inspired images, and enhancing art education programs in local schools are just a sampling of what alliance volunteers have accomplished, all with minimal public funding assistance.

The city of Dunedin, home of Honeymoon Island, is the birthplace of a unique form of community art that successfully blends art with function. For instance: the artistic bike rack. continued on page 14

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 13

[BLENDING CREATIVITY] WITH FUNCTION

continued from page 13

Dunedin was the first city in Pinellas County, and one of two communities statewide, to utilize artistic bike racks. The early 1990s transition of the historical Orange Belt Railroad into the modern day Pinellas Trail paved the way to put Dunedin on the map for recreation and redevelopment interests surrounding the trail.

Following the city’s initially unsuccessful rally to incentivize developer inclusion of public art, a city employee had an idea. Why not think outside the box and encourage a friendly competition between developers and business owners to not just buy another off the shelf, generic bike rack, but design one that is uniquely artistic, and an attention-grab for their enthusiasm?

My first call was to Kokolakis Construction’s very own Joe Kokolakis. It helped that Joe was also a Dunedin resident! The sell was easy, as Kokolakis jumped at the idea to be the first to experiment with an artistic bike rack at his Sterling Commons mixed-use redevelopment under construction at the time.

The process involved providing Kokolakis with some basic artistic ideas, a copy of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Bicycle Parking Guidelines, and encouraging him to utilize a local fabricator, if possible, that could both design the rack to APBP standards, and build it to last.

The result was a giant fish bike rack that holds eight bikes. One’s willingness to think outside the box and take a chance at failure

14 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

has resulted in the commissioning of nearly 20 artistic bike racks throughout Dunedin in the last six years. Through the subsequent help of my working with Bill Coleman’s Arc Angels Inc., and the Institute for Creative Arts, Dunedin’s artistic bike rack program has become the most extensive of its kind in Florida. Publicity and wordof-mouth chatter about the program has resulted in the production of innumerable other artistic bike racks that currently grace outdoor spaces nearby in Tarpon Springs, Oldsmar, Kenneth City, and as far away as Gaithersburg, Md. To this day, I still remember Kokolakis’s disbelief in recounting a conversation he and his wife had with longtime Tampa friends who, after reading an article in the Tampa Bay Times on the bike rack initiative, were more interested in his $1,500 artistic bike rack than his multi-million dollar development endeavors.

Dunedin’s artistic bike rack program represents a unique and functional approach to traditional public or community art. These racks are frequently used and cherished. I invite you to experience these artistic bike racks the next time you are in Dunedin, or anywhere else you choose to bike. For more information on the Dunedin artistic bike rack program, watch this YouTube video.

Matthew Campbell is the Town Manager of Kenneth City. He can be reached at campbellm@Kennethcityfl.org.

PRESENTS

APA FLORIDA CIRCUIT RIDER SERIES

of Urban3 LLC

AICP

Joe’s cross-training in city planning in the public and private sectors, as well as private sector real estate finance, has allowed him to develop award-winning analytic tools that have garnered national attention.

Land use economics is an effective tool to proactively manage growth.

It is also a fiscally smart way to use land more wisely.

However, few communities consider the important role that the value of land plays in land use planning, zoning, placemaking and capital improvement planning. Joe will lead the presentation and guide participants to gain a better understanding of the tie between economic productivity and community vitality through land use.

Who should attend?

Developers | Realtors | Local government officials | Economic development agencies | Planning board members | Land use advisors | City planners

Series information & registration:

floridaplanning.org/joe

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 15

HOW TO PLAN AN ARTISTIC

COMMUNITY

By Mara Latorre

IN JUST 9 EASY STEPS!

Are you an artist*, or do you simply have a love for arts and culture? Have you ever felt a burning desire to grab a magic wand, in order to miraculously turn your city into an artistic haven? Is this a desire you have continually heard from residents in the communities you serve?

If you said “Yes!” to any of these questions, say no more! If you follow these nine easy steps, you will have an artistic community in no time.

To view a Florida example, learn more about the City of Bradenton’s Village of the Arts Overlay District.

OBLITERATE THE ‘STARVING ARTIST’ DILEMMA If there is one common struggle for artists and creative entrepreneurs, it commonly revolves around the lack of affordable housing and the creeping of gentrification across cities.

Housing and community-development planners can work to create various policies, such as creating a CRA-funded down payment assisCOLOR YOUR ZONING & LANDUSE If you are a zoning or land use plantance program, instituting rent control ner, you have a unique ability to revisit regulations, allowing the development your comprehensive plans and zoning of tiny homes, or encouraging the estabcodes to access how arts-friendly they lishment of community land trusts.

By instituting a special fee The Venture House, which is a south are.

For instance, encouraging more St. Petersburg-based initiative of Bright policy, such as a mandatory mixed-use or flexible zoning policies Community Trust, a 501(c)(3) community percentage allocation towards nonprofit, is an effort which works to can allow for innovative uses, such as live/work spaces. There are artists that gentrification, by providing artists public art on new development, combat may desire to reside in the warehouses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to live or studios and venues where they may your city can create a fund that in an affordable home. Their strategy is work at or operate on a full-time basis. to purchase and rehabilitate a cluster of supports public art efforts.

Many artists desire to live in a space vacant, foreclosed and neglected properwhere they can simultaneously work ties in a targeted area.

Rehabilitated homes are then on their craft. More so, artists desire a offered to local artists and entrepreneurs at affordable rates, space to showcase or sell their creations.

Taking steps, such as allowing the formation of an arts-centered with the stipulation that such parties will, in turn, provide sweatplanned development or implementing special creative overlay equity during the rehab process, and contribute to the creative and districts can encourage the development of arts villages, where economic well-beings of their communities. To learn more about artists can live in close proximity to their studios, creative work Venture House, click here. spaces, and one another. Such a district also has potential to IMPLEMENT CREATIVE IMPACT FEES encourage small business incubation while promoting local tourism.

Have you ever thought of how your jurisdiction’s impact and/or By creating zoning which provides these opportunities, many development fees could support the arts? creatives can have an easier time flourishing in their communities. continued on page 17

CONSIDER THIS:

16 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

[ARTISTIC] COMMUNITY

continued from page 16

Consider this: By instituting a special fee policy, such as a mandatory percentage allocation towards public art on new development, your city can create a fund that supports public art efforts.

For example, the City of Tampa’s Art Programs Division instituted a Public Art in Private Development effort, where a developer within the Downtown Commercial Business District or Channel District pays a fee that goes towards an art fund that is operated through the city’s Public Art program. To learn about all the great goings on in Tampa here.

SEEK THE POT’O’GOLD Planners can work with other entities, such as city agencies, chambers of commerce, Main Street programs, as well as Downtown Special Districts in order to develop creative-sector support, such as business plan development assistance or matching grants for façade improvements. Other ideas could incorporate creative placemaking strategies, such as launching interactive pop-up galleries, encouraging street performances, funding community theaters, and more!

For those of you who work in an economic development planning role, consider developing a cultural plan. A cultural master plan is a great way to create a centralized plan which shows how your community will holistically support arts, culture and creative industries, through a series of short- and long-term goals, objectives and policies.

With the support of community members and stakeholders, originally implemented in 1999, the city of St. Petersburg has developed and refined their Cultural Plan, with the goal of improving the quality of life for all, by developing an inclusive plan which seeks to create and foster a creative, educated & culturally rich community. To learn more about the city of St. Petersburg’s Cultural Plan, please click here.

MAKE WAY FOR BRIGHT ROADS AHEAD What potential do some of the roads, sidewalks, or intersections have in order to become canvases?

Traffic and transportation planners can develop programs and regulations that allow artists and community members to paint right-of-ways with murals or decorative colors and patterns. Public transit stops and buses could also be creatively adorned. Adding a splash of color to any of these amenities not only enhances an area’s artistic landscape, but also has the potential in helping to calm traffic and create greater sense of safety and community pride.

To learn about an example, learn more about Fort Lauderdale’s Painted Intersections project.

(RE)IMAGINE YOUR PARKS Are you a parks planer? If so, acknowledge the ways which your mass acreages in green spaces have incredible creative possibilities.

Imagine the potential your local parks have in hosting art walks, community festivals, outdoor plays and concerts in the park, and sculpture installations. Your recreation and community centers continued on page 18

Color Your Zoning & Land Use. Photo Courtesy: Village of the Arts

Obliterate the ‘Starving Artist’ Dilemma. Frank Wells, CEO/ Founder of Venture House. Photo Courtesy of Janan Talafer of 83 Degrees Media

Implement Creative Impact Fees. “Stay Curious” by Tes One and Bask - Poe Parking Garage Photo Credit: Nicole Abbett

Seek the Pot ‘O’ Gold. Photo courtesy: Rock the Park, a free outdoor concert series in downtown Tampa.

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 17

[ARTISTIC] COMMUNITY

continued from page 17

could host art exhibitions or develop programs, such as visual and performing arts classes for people of all ages.

ASK! Do you happen to know other artists? Would you like to?

Become intentional about supporting local gallery exhibitions, concerts, poetry slams and other creative events where you can introduce yourself to local artists. Don’t be afraid to ask local artists what they would like to see in their communities. Many have fantastic, visionary ideas!

Don’t forget to include the input from local community partners, such as neighborhood associations, churches, schools, nonprofits, civic groups and local businesses. Planning a series of charrettes, or visiting members of arts collectives and civic organizations for input is a truly effective way to obtain ideas and nurture support for arts-centered planning.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES Are you a planner who is passionate about the arts? One of the best ways to help make a difference in your community is to get your hands dirty, roll up your sleeves and get involved!

Find a local gallery, theater, dance company or other cultural arts agency and become a volunteer. Many cultural organizations also offer opportunities to join their board of directors. By serving in a board member capacity, you provide great advantage of contributing your planning background & expertise into the executive leadership.

SPEAK UP Encourage artists and community members to voice their desires for arts friendly cities heard by their elected officials. You may be surprised how many mayors and councilmembers are supportive of such initiatives.

Embolden artists and arts patrons to attend city council meetings and public hearings. Encourage others, as well as yourself, to regularly stay in touch with local, state and federal elected officials by letting them know how their support for the arts can greatly impact the quality of life for the communities they serve and represent.

This list of planning tools strategies could virtually be endless. Creating an artistic city is not a task for one singular individual. Just like any revitalization effort, planning such a community involves the efforts of planners coordinating with artists, community members, business leaders, stakeholders and a heaping dose of political will.

There is no singular formula to cultivate a creative community, as every place has its own unique assets and needs. My advice: be patient in this process. Mural-adorned cities filled with galleries, theaters, and spoken word poets spewing rhymes throughout street corners were not developed overnight.

To all my fellow planners: Let’s roll up our sleeves, and get to work! *Keyword: For the sake of this article, an artist is defined as an individual who creates visual and/or conceptual work, performs as an actor, dances, plays/composes music, or writes. An artist also extends to those who identify as makers and creators.

Mara Latorre is a Planner II with the city of Plant City. She can be reached at mlatorre@plantcitygov.com.

18 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

(RE)Imagine Your Parks: 2015 Lights on Tampa, held at Curtis Hixon Park & Kiley Gardens, Tampa. Photo Courtesy Matt May Photography

Ask: Make Plant City Kickoff Meeting. Photo Courtesy Daniel Figueroa of the Plant City Observer

Roll Up Your Sleeves: Board members of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. Photo Courtesy of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.

Speak Up: Photo Courtesy of Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles

Public Art with a Civic Purpose By: Laura Everitt, AICP, Esq., LEED GA

Public art has many purposes: to add beauty or whimsy, to give the viewer cause to think, to commemorate an act or moment, among others. Recently in Tampa, a new piece of public art serves a civic purpose.

In fact, the Tampa Downtown Partnership awarded its Urban Excellence Award for Social Impact for the I AM Priceless mural. The mural reads, “I am not for sale. I am priceless.”

The mural contains a strong anti-human trafficking statement, provides hotline information for victims and anyone who wants report human trafficking, as well as being an artistic endeavor. Shades of purple and pink underscore themes of compassion, healing and hope. Human trafficking is defined as soliciting, recruiting, harboring, transporting or otherwise obtaining another person to exploit him or her for labor, domestic servitude or sexual exploitation. According to the Polaris Project, which keeps statistics regarding calls to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s hotline, the third largest number of calls come from the state of Florida (behind California and Texas) each year.

Spearheaded by The Junior League of Tampa, the mural was a collaboration with the city of Tampa Arts Department, the Tampa Police Department, artist Leon Bedore with Tes One, and survivors and advocates in the FREE Network. On April 25, 2017, the mural’s unveiling was used to further bring attention to the issue of human trafficking.

Members of the public attended the mural reveal along with trafficking survivors, Junior League members and local and state leaders such as former Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who all stand

with the Junior League in its efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking. The unveiling was proceeded by “Think Globally, Act Communally,” a conversation with Becca Stevens who is a nationally renowned speaker and activist. Stevens is the founder of Thistle Farms, a nonprofit that sells handmade products made by women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction.

The mural’s location across from the downtown Tampa Greyhound bus station is strategic and significant, given the likelihood of trafficking victims to frequent bus stations, airports, truck stops and other ports of entry. While initially conceived of as a piece for passersby, photos of the mural have been shared and liked on social media more than 24,000 times. The city of Tampa also created bumper stickers of the mural and staff distributed the bumper stickers at the unveiling ceremony.

The founder of Redefining Refuge, Natasha Nascimento explained that the Priceless mural is what she personally considers to be advocacy in action. She stated “It’s letting those who may otherwise feel alone and without a voice know that there is a lifeline available to them- people who care, who want to help, and ultimately get them to a safe place.” The mural has made such an impact that “I am Priceless” is the title of a new devotional book for women enslaved in sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The writers of the devotional book met at the mural for a group picture to include in the new devotional book.

To learn more about human trafficking, you can go to these sites: • The Polaris Project • Federal Bureau of Investigation • Florida Department of Children and Families Photos used with permission of The Junior League of Tampa.

Laura Everitt is is the Transit & Rail Planning Manager with VHB and is APA Florida’s President-Elect. She can be reached at presidentelect@floridaplanning.org.

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 19

PULSE NIGHTCLUB Mural Aims to Heal By Susan Stauffer

Inspiration Orlando has its Pulse inspired mural project outdoors with a temporary working studio exhibit of the evolving painting portraying some of those whose contributions have fueled The City Beautiful’s pursuit of love and kindness in the wake of the devastation suffered at Pulse Nightclub.

During the limited engagement in the Thornton Park District of Orlando, the public is viewing the painting, rich in visual narrative and catching peeks of the artists as they add and refine imagery.

The mural, now known as Inspiration Orlando United, is attached by frame to the east wall of the historic building housing Burton’s bar on Washington Street adjacent to the Thorton Park Laundry.

The piece has grown in size and scope since its first display at Pulse Nightclub and Lake Eola on June 12, 2017. Now measuring 36 feet wide by 14 feet high, the acrylic painting includes a new

20 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

section running across the bottom providing space for more components. The core composition features the facial portraits of all 49 victims, two survivors who died before the first year mark, and a representative selection of living survivors, inspirational responders and passionate caregivers.

The mural is a work in progress and will be at the current location in Thorton Park as painting continues. Plans are in development to move the mural to other locations to add elements and stories.

While there is not set schedule to see the artists at work, the mural is available for viewing at any time. Those wishing to visit the mural can find information on parking and other services at Downtown Orlando’s website here.

Susan Stauffer is the media relations contact for Inspiration Orlando. She can be reached at stauffer.sue@gmail.com.

CROSSWALK Beautification Benefits Pedestrians and Drivers Alike

By Robert Modys

Inspired in 2014 by a neighborhood in Minnesota, Diana Alarcon, director of the city of Fort Lauderdale Transportation & Mobility Department, initiated an effort to paint a trio of intersections in the city’s Central Business District. The intersections are intended to send the message that streets are for all users while slowing down motorists to an appropriate speed and increasing safety for people walking and biking.

In doing so, the project has also better connected the traditional core of Las Olas Boulevard, which is dominated by restaurants, art galleries, and shops, with the traditional central business district.

The first intersections to be painted, which are located along Las Olas Boulevard at SE 1st, SE 2nd, and SE 3rd Avenues, were selected not only to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety and bridge the divide between two sections of Downtown, but also to demonstrate the city’s commitment toward transforming Fort Lauderdale into a fully-connected, multimodal city. The $500,000 project, which was funded through the city’s Community Investment Program to implement the Downtown Walkability Program, also incorporated ADA upgrades at all three intersections. continued on page 22

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 21

[CROSSWALK] BEAUTIFICATION

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To date, the city has installed five painted intersections, one painted pedestrian walkway, and one final intersection pending installation in early 2018.

Artwork was sought via a public call to artists initiative, a process that has enabled the city to use the submissions to expand the program to the Central Beach neighborhood in the form of an additional three intersections along Breakers Avenue and the pedestrian entrance to the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. A committee consisting of city staff, the Broward County Cultural Division, the Downtown Civic Association, the Downtown Development Authority, the Nova Southeastern University Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, and Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale was enlisted to select the artwork.

The first three intersections were each painted with the help of residents, city staff, and the artist, Cecila Lueza, which presented a unique opportunity for a community event where neighbors were able to get involved in creative placemaking. Each intersection was completed on a different day with its own community engagement event to accommodate the logistics that go into each painting event, including the maintenance of traffic from the preparation for the event to the completion of drying, which took approximately 12 hours.

Although the project was well-received by neighbors, visitors, and the local planning and engineering community, it wasn’t without setbacks.

First, a revocable license agreement with Broward County was required for impacts to SE 3rd Avenue, the only county-owned facility involved in the project.

Second, the city received pushback due to concerns over art within an active roadway.

Each design needed to consider vehicle 22 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

use of the intersections including such things as ensuring that the colored blocks were sized appropriately to match with lane lines. These concerns were alleviated, however, by following the general guidance as provided by MUTCD Section 3G.01, including ensuring that the white crosswalk lines are not diminished by the artwork.

Finally, the city also found that the originally selected paint, a highway-grade product, wore fairly quickly especially at the highest volume intersection. In response, the services of a local company that specializes in high-friction epoxy decorative roadway markings, were enlisted. The proprietary material, which was used to refresh the Las Olas Boulevard Painted Intersections and for the second series of intersections in the Central Beach neighborhood, has been much more durable. Due to the specialized application of the Atlantic Paving epoxy product, however, volunteer installation is no longer possible.

To date, the city has installed five painted intersections, one painted pedestrian walkway, and one final intersection pending installation in early 2018.

The opportunity to build community by melding staff and neighbors has not gone unnoticed – requests to paint additional intersections have been pursued by residents and business owners, though the city doesn’t currently have a program. As the trend continues to grow nationwide, staff receives numerous inquiries on how to replicate our successful art installations elsewhere.

Robert E. Modys is a Mobility Planner for the city of Fort Lauderdale. He can be reached at RModys@fortlauderdale.gov

City of Palatka

Metro Jacksonville

MURALS We asked and received submissions of your favorite murals.

Enjoy the selection.

Where are the murals nearest you? Lucky there are many online resources pointing you in the right direction!

Poke around and get inspired from some of our favorites: • Visit Florida • Wyland Whaling Walls in Florida (there are 12) • Florida Mural Trail • Florida Backroads Travel • City of Tampa • City of Lake Wales • Lake Placid Mural Society • St. Pete Mural Tour • Melbourne Main Street

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[FAVORITE] MURALS

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Devan Leavins

Devan Leavins

Devan Leavins

Devan Leavins

24 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

CASSELBERRY Preserves History and Restores Mosaic Mural at City Hall By Emily Hanna, AICP

During the 1950’s, South Seminole Bank was the only financial institution from Winter Park to Sanford along the US Highway 17-92 corridor. After annexing into the city in the 1960s, the bank grew to the largest bank in Seminole County, and as such needed to expand.

During the expansion of the bank, Antonio Martinez Andres was commissioned to create a mosaic along the back wall of the teller line. The mosaic mural, stretched over 20’ long and included beautiful landscape scenes from Cuba, where Antonio lived for part of his life.

The bank was eventually sold to different institutions over the years, and the new owners redecorated, walling over the beautiful mural.

In the late 2000s, Florida Department of Transportation bought the building and land, which was slated to be torn down for the creation of the US Highway 17-92 Flyover project. A former bank president, David Powers, contacted former Seminole County Commissioner Larry Furlong and told him what lay behind the walls of the bank. Commissioner Furlong reached out to the city to see if

SIGNS AS ART

they wanted to find the mural, and a few weeks later FDOT, city staff and Powers uncovered the beautiful mosaic behind the wall.

City staff worked with contractors to carefully extract the 4x4-inch hand-painted tiles from the wall. Many local artists came together to help preserve this piece of art, and Ulysses Mora was contracted to restore the mural to its former glory.

It took more than two years for Mora to restore the mural, and in the fall of 2015 the mural was reinstalled in a breezeway at Casselberry City Hall.

Emily Hanna is the Chief Planner for the city of Casselberry. She can be reached at ehanna@casselberry.org.

By: Robin Nigh

A simple phrase can capture the essence of something or some place. Encountering a phrase or word out of context in the streets of a city park can invite the passerby to remember a story, start a conversation, bring a smile or encouragement or make a memory.

This is the goal of UpLit – a City of Tampa public art project meant to capture the value of the written word. This installation was originally part of the city’s Lights On Tampa program, which was developed by the city’s Art Programs Division in conjunction with regional businesses, volunteers and art supporters to reaffirm Tampa’s commitment to arts and technology by presenting highly visible, innovative light installations.

To start the project, a callout to local poets, writers, songwriters, artists – professional and amateur – was made by the city resulting in more than 200 submittals. A panel of jurors selected Tampa-based poet Silvia Curbelo’s phrase, which was fabricated locally by Sign Art Group. The popularity of

the piece has led to its temporary installation after the Lights on Tampa 2015 event in various locations of downtown Tampa.

The program will continue to call upon local wordsmiths for new phrases and locations in the future.

Learn more about Lights On Tampa here.

Photography by Matt May

Robin Nigh is the Manager of the Arts Programs Division for the city of Tampa. She can be reached at Robin.Nigh@ tampagov.net.

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 25

INTERACTIVE MAPS SHARES ST. PETE MURALS WITH THE VISUALLY-IMPAIRED St.Petersburg

mural tour accessible

stpeteartsalliance.org/explore

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See website for more detailed information: stpeteartsalliance.org/explore

Election Opportunities in APA Florida Looking for a way to get more involved in planning issues and your professional planning organization?

Consider running for statewide office in APA Florida. The election of statewide officers for APA Florida takes place every two years and 2018 is an election year. A nominating committee appointed by the President presents a slate of at least two candidates for each of these nine positions: President-Elect Vice President for Professional Development Vice President for Membership Services Vice-President for Conference Services Vice-President for Section Affairs

Vice President for Certification Maintenance Vice President for Communications Secretary Treasurer

The list of duties associated with each office is described in the Chapter Bylaws. A summary of the duties can also be viewed by clicking on the specific position in the list above.

After reviewing the position descriptions, if you are interested in being considered to run for office, please click HERE and indicate your interest no later than March 15, 2018. If you need further information, contact the Chapter Office at 850201-3272 or fapa@floridaplanning.org.

We look forward to hearing from you!!!

26 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

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Patti Shea is the communications coordinator for APA Florida. She can be reached at staff@floridaplanning.org.

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With its boon in murals popping up around its burgeoning downtown, the city of St. Petersburg took the next step in bringing community arts to visually-impaired residents and visitors.

In November, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance released its Accessible Audio Tour, which shares St. Petersburg murals with visually-impaired visitors – and with everyone who enjoys vivid descriptions and the stories behind each mural’s creation.

With the generous support of AARP Florida, it’s the first phase of an ongoing project that includes 40 popular murals.

“AARP has been working to engage local partners in St. Petersburg on its age-friendly initiative designed to help make communities a better place to live for people of all ages and abilities,” said Michelle Cyr, AARP Tampa Bay Field Coordinator.

“This project supports that concept by making it easier for everyone, no matter where they live or what limitations they might have, to enjoy St. Petersburg’s vibrant network of arts and culture.”

You can listen to the audio on your computer or smart phone.

Clicking on the address will open the location up in Googlemaps. Future funding opportunities will make it easier to pull up audio at each site.

By Anna Cava Grosso

DELAND UTILITY BOX ART Energizes Downtown Art Scene

Henry DeLand had a great future in mind when he envisioned the town he founded as “the Athens of Florida” – a center of art, culture and education in a state rapidly developing after the end of the Civil War.

Henry DeLand had a great future in mind when he envisioned the town he founded as “the Athens of Florida” – a center of art, culture and education in a state rapidly developing after the end of the Civil War. Today, monuments to his vision stand all around the growing city: Stetson University’s many architectural and academic treasures, Volusia County’s courthouses, the collections and programs of the Museum of Art DeLand and the African American Museum of Arts, and the beautifully refurbished Athens Theater are all Henry’s dream of DeLand as an arts destination for central Florida manifest.

Despite his foresight, DeLand certainly did not anticipate the most recent medium for art in the beloved downtown – public utility boxes.

These unassuming pieces of infrastructure don’t typically draw much attention from downtown regulars or visitors, but a partnership between the Museum of Art DeLand and the city’s Community Development Department now has industrial infrastructure sharing the spotlight with the city’s popular Sculpture and Mural Walks.

Fourteen utility boxes in 12 locations around downtown DeLand have been enhanced with eye-catching designs referencing central Floridian wildlife and history. One impressionistic scene depicts friends sharing a conversation on a park bench; another shows a photographic lakeside sunrise.

The utility box art project’s life began, like many others, with a different project’s death. Funds earmarked in the budget of the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for a mixeduse commercial and residential development were available following the project’s failure and a public meeting was called to determine the best use for the funds.

Attendees ranked the idea for “utility street art,” proposed by Museum of Art DeLand Trustee Ray Johnson, high among the various proposals. The CRA board subsequently approved a budget continued on page 28

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 27

[DELAND] UTILITY BOX ART

continued from page 27

and an agreement with the Museum of Art DeLand to execute the program.

Local stakeholders were wellrepresented in the five-member jury convened to select the artwork. A downtown merchant, a local arts supporter, a Stetson University administrator, a DeLand City Commissioner, and the Mainstreet DeLand Association director comprised the jury, which selected the final images from a slate of more than 40 contenders.

After a test run using an image donated

by Dr. John Wilton, Museum Trustee Secretary and one of the artists selected, vinyl reproductions of the art pieces were created and applied to the utility box

exterior surfaces. Wilton believes that publicizing information about how traditional art pieces are converted into vinyl wraps may have resulted in a greater number of artists participating in the process.

Due to the difficulty of collaborating with private owners of downtown utility boxes, only boxes owned by the city of DeLand or Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) ultimately participated in the program. Challenges also arose in clearly labeling the boxes for identification by utility workers without compromising the artworks.

Marla Ivey, Community Development Coordinator with DeLand, says that public art partnerships are an important aspect of preserving DeLand’s “sense of community” and maintaining a “distinctive core city,” two key strategic results named in the city’s 2017-18 Strategic Plan. Ivey has been working on the utility box art project since the Museum of Art DeLand’s Public Art Committee produced a white paper on the topic in 2014.

Reviewing a process that took over three years, she doesn’t hesitate to name the most challenging aspect of the project.

“Identifying each box’s owner and contacting them. There were a lot of site visits!” she recalls.

As with the Sculpture and Mural Walks, self-guided tour pamphlets containing location and background information on the Utility Box Art program are available at various downtown locations.

In the wake of another successful public art program, Henry DeLand’s vision sails on. DeLand’s Arts and Culture District Committee is working on the establishment of an arts district in the downtown area, another Strategic Plan action item. While that initiative takes shape, the team that made utility box art a reality in downtown DeLand is already searching for their next unusual downtown canvas.

Anna Cava Grosso is a Senior Planner with the city of DeLand. She can be reached at grossoa@deland.org.

28 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

Member Spotlight Q&A:

Melissa Dickens, AICP Sun Coast Section Chair

Where are you originally from?

Near Portland, Oregon – I’m pretty sure my love of planning developed through osmosis. Growing up there exposed me to all sorts of planning-related topics and it’s been a great foundation for a professional planning career. I’m also excited about the planning work going on in my adopted home here in Tampa Bay. The area has great local planners, tremendous projects and lots of momentum.

What college/university did you attend?

The University of Pennsylvania for both college and graduate school. Go Quakers!

What is your current position?

I’m a Senior Planner with the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission.

What is your current and any past positions in APA FL and/or APA National?

I currently serve as the Sun Coast Section Chair, and am also serving on the newly created Water and Planning Network Steering Committee for APA National.

What have you gained or learned by being a member in APA Florida?

Getting involved with the Sun Coast Section and APA Florida has been a fantastic experience. I’ve learned so much from my fellow planners about the profession, emerging topics and best practices from around the state. It’s made me a much better planner, expanded my network, and best of all, I’ve made some wonderful, lifelong friends. It’s also been a great opportunity to gain experience working with different people while developing leadership skills. If you’re thinking of getting involved, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Is there a particular state planning topic you’d like to comment on or feel fellow planners need to follow?

I think it’s important for planners to follow the Florida Legislative Session. There are numerous bills proposed every year that directly affect our profession. APA Florida produces informative legislative updates that make it easy to stay on top of everything going on. I would encourage every Florida planner to be engaged, informed and involved.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Traveling, spending time with family and friends, running, and trying new restaurants. I have a particular weakness for seafood and there are quite a few great places to indulge here in Tampa.

Ever had your 15 minutes of fame?

Yes, whenever a karaoke machine is available!

FUn

&

“Dream Sparrow” by Donald Gialanella

FunkY

“​Trojan Horse​“ by Vince Pompei

B​ ronze statue of Roland Mantiega in located in the Centro Ybor shopping, dining and entertainment district in Ybor City.

Mr. Mantiega was the former publisher, owner and columnist for La Gaceta, a long standing community newspaper that chronicled the events and politics of Ybor City and championed for its Cuban, Spanish and Italian residents.

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 29

APA FLORIDA WORKING FOR YOU 2018 ANNUAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

CIRCUIT RIDER SERIES BEGINS

As previously advertised, a Virtual Conference was developed after Hurricane Irma shortened our 2017 Annual Conference. These Virtual Conference sessions are provided free of charge for conference registrants to obtain CM credits. All sessions have been conducted live and are now available as “Distance Learning Events” through the end of 2018.

APA Florida is now making these sessions available to all of its members. Just visit floridaplanning.org/virtualconference and view the sessions at your leisure.

APA Florida is sponsoring a series of workshops featuring Joe Minicozzi, AICP, with Urban3 LLC. Joe was slated to be the closing speaker at the annual conference in September but was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. As a result, the Chapter Office has worked with several sections – Atlantic Coast, Orlando Metro, Heart of Florida, Sun Coast, Gold Coast, Broward, Treasure Coast – to set up several presentations by Mr. Minicozzi over the week of Feb. 19.

Urban3 is a consulting firm specializing in land value economics, property and retail tax analysis and community design, based out of Asheville, N.C. Joe’s cross-training in city planning in the public and private sectors, as well as private sector real estate finance, has allowed him to develop award-winning analytic tools that have garnered national attention.

Land use economics is an effective tool to proactively manage growth. It is also a fiscally smart way to use land more wisely.

However, few communities consider the important role that the value of land plays in land use planning, zoning, placemaking and capital improvement planning. Joe will lead the presentation and guide participants to gain a better understanding of the tie between economic productivity and community vitality through land use.

The workshops will be free to APA members – please go to www.floridaplanning.org/joe for details and registration. AICP CM credits will also be provided.

APA FLORIDA PARTNERS WITH AARP TO DISCUSS AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

APA Florida was invited to participate in AARP Florida’s Age-Friendly Communities Workshop this past December, which focuses on making our communities great and accessible for all ages. APA Florida Gold Coast Section Chair Edward Ng presented a session on livable communities policies in Florida.

PAB ACCREDITATION REVIEWS Last fall, the APA Florida Chapter Office participated in the reaccreditation review process for the FSU Master of Science in Planning program. The chapter conducted a member survey with respect to the program and submitted the results to the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). Additionally, the chapter provided comments during the PAB site visit. FSU recently learned that the program was reaccredited for 7 years, which is the longest duration possible.

Currently, members in the Treasure Coast and Broward Sections are participating in a similar manner in the re-accreditation review process for the FAU School of Urban and Regional Planning.

AICP CANDIDATES PILOT PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE Members can now get a head start on becoming AICP certified through the new AICP Candidates Pilot Program. Students and graduates of PAB accredited programs will now be able to qualify for the AICP exam prior to earning the minimum of two years of professional planning experience. The May 2018 Exam will be the first test taking opportunity for planners who qualify to participate.

For more information, contact your Chapter PDO, Henry Bittaker, at profdevelopment@floridaplanning.org or at https://www.planning.org/aicp/candidate/#details.

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30 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

[APA] FLORIDA WORKING FOR YOU

continued from page 30

FREE STUDENT APA MEMBERSHIP APA Student members now receive membership to APA, Chapter, AICP and up to five divisions for FREE while they are actively pursuing their degree. Students who complete their studies can then transition into a two-year program featuring introductory dues. For more information, contact your Chapter Membership VP, Marcie Stenmark, at membership@floridaplanning.org.

In Memoriam Marion Lee Cook, AICP (July 27, 1971 – Jan. 8, 2018) Obituary from the Panama City News Herald Marion Cook was a wonderful person, always with a generous smile and professional image. She was active in American Planning Association and the Federal Planning Division. She served as a community planner at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center in San Antonio.

Previously, she was a community planner for Tyndall Air Force Base and Eglin AFB in Florida. Marion completed her MSP from Florida State University. She worked for local government as a City Planner and CRA Director for the City of Lynn Haven, Fla. and Program Planner for the City of Largo, Fla. She began her planning career with the Gail Easley Company.

For those who were lucky enough to have met her, her sunshine shone on us and our lives are forever better for knowing her. She loved with her whole heart, listened to truly understand, and lived to serve and make the world better. Wherever Marion went, she put her whole heart into whatever she did; but because of her amazing work ethic, she completed God’s work down here too early for everybody who met her.

As to her many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and fellow congregants, we’ll remember with joy her love and loyalty, her humor and spunk, and fun times that we had at places like Schooner’s and any other place serving great seafood or Greek food. We rejoice in her life and know that she will do an amazing job in her new mission up above, where she is reunited with her parents, grandparents, and loved ones.

Services were held in Texas and Florida to cherish her memory.

In Memoriam Michael Kokosky (1971 – 2018) A message from Amber Dickerson, Hillsborough County Director: Good Afternoon All, It is with great sadness, I must relay that Michael Kokosky, the Senior Planner for the City of Temple Terrace, unexpectedly passed away last week.

Michael was a very active member of APA. He will be greatly missed by our planning community. Our local chapter will be collecting funds for a group donation here. Also, below is a link to his obituary, if you would like to send your personal condolences or a donation.

Obituary that ran in Michael’s hometown newspaper, The Morning Call, in Ohio.

Michael J. Kokosky, 46, of Temple Terrace, FL, died unexpectedly on January 24, 2018. He was born July 15, 1971 in West Reading, PA to his loving parents, John J. and Kathryn (Stout) Kokosky Jr. of Palmer Township. Michael was a 1989 graduate of Easton High School and a 1993 graduate of LaSalle University; where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Michael continued his academic career at Ohio State University where he earned two master’s degrees in three years; studying Public Administration and Urban and Regional Planning. Earlier, Michael worked as a research and advocacy specialist for Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley and as an urban planner for the city of Rock Island, IL and later Marion and Polk Counties in Florida.

Most recently, Michael was serving as the senior planner of community development for the city of Temple Terrace, FL. Michael will be dearly missed by his parents and aunts, Dr. Mary J. Kokosky, M.D.; Anna Bakonyi and Linda Everett. He will be remembered for his enjoyment of fishing and bowling.

Michael was an avid Ohio State University fan and loved all things associated with Christmas; especially decorating.

Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 31

APA Florida

PLANNERS ON THE MOVE APRIL BROWN RETURNS TO CITY OF HAINES After serving approximately five years as Fort Meade’s first Planning Director and Development Services Director for Davenport, April Brown is returning to Haines City as a Senior Planner where she began her planning career in 2005.

April has bachelor’s degrees in public administration and organizational management. Her focus will be on planning services for the city with an emphasis on long-range planning and special projects.

WINTER HAVEN PROMOTES HEATHER REUTER Heather Reuter came to the city of Winter Haven in May 2016 after 11 years of service in corporate at Publix. Originally hired as an executive assistant to the Growth Management Director, Heather was promoted in April 2017 to Planner I. Heather is involved in annexations, landuse planning, the development of ordinances and resolutions, zoning and variance requests, and the city’s SHIP and CDBG programs. She has had an immediate positive impact within the Planning Division.

PHILLIP SCEARCE MOVES TO LAKELAND After more than 13 years with the city of Plant City Planning Division, Phillip Scearce, AICP, recently joined the city of Lakeland Community Development Department as a Senior Planner.

Phillip started his planning career in 1994 for Polk County after graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Urban & Regional Planning. In addition to Polk County, Phillip has served several communities and agencies including Lake Wales, Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Spotsylvania County Virginia, and the city of Plant City. He brings a broad background of community and transportation planning experience to Lakeland and is excited work for the city he calls home.

ADRIANA TRUJILLO-VILLA TRANSFERS TO HAINES PUBLIC WORKS After 12 years as a land-use and community planning professional with Sarasota County, Adriana Trujillo-Villa made a transition to Haines City Public Works Department where she the Operations Manager. In her new position, Adriana manages grants, oversees cooperative funding agreements, and provides support to the department director with a 32 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

wide variety of duties relating to functions of municipal public works management and operations.

Adriana’s previous experience includes managing capital improvements projects, overseeing interjurisdictional agreements for road improvements, coordinating intergovernmental projects, promoting business development opportunities, working on zoning ordinance amendments, processing small and large scale land use change petitions, and organizing local and regional urban planning events.

Adriana is a former Sarasota County Area Director for APA Florida’s Sun Coast Section.

CITY OF LAKELAND WELCOMES TOM WODRICH AS NEW CHIEF PLANNER Tom Wodrich, AICP, joined the city of Lakeland Community Development Department in July as its Chief Planner where he leads comprehensive long-range and neighborhood planning projects.

Tom has more than 20 years experience working in private and public sectors in land development planning, freight logistics, community engagement, process improvement, and intergovernmental coordination.

He has worked to implement healthy community design throughout Florida, and across the nation on federal legislative committees. Tom is currently the Vice-Chair for the Heart of Florida Section and has chaired the section twice in the past. He earned his bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Cincinnati.

RANDY VOSBURG HIGHLANDS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Randy Vosburg, AICP, is the new County Administrator for Highlands County. Randy began his career in public service as a planner with Polk County in 2001.

In 2007, he became the youngest Director of Strategic Planning for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which was followed by a promotion as their Director of Professional Compliance. In 2013, Randy accepted the position as the Assistant County Administrator for Highlands County.

He was born in Richmond, Va., but has lived in Central Florida since 1980. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science in 1991 and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Florida in 2002. Randy is also a Certified Public Manager (CPM) that he obtained from the Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Randy has dedicated his career to public service and credits his background in the professional planning field as a key component to his career development.

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Winter 2018 / Florida Planning 33

[CONSULTANTS] DIRECTORY Advertise in the Consultants Directory The Consultant Directory is a fitting place to showcase your firm. $250 buys space for a year in the newsletter (five issues) plus inclusion in our webbased consultant directory. Display ads to promote your business, conference, projects and more are available. Contact the Chapter office at 850-2013272 for rates and details.

www.vhb.com Engineers | Scientists | Planners | Designers

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2018 APA FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SAVE THE DATE

Palm Beach County Convention Center l September 11-14, 2018

34 Winter 2018 / Florida Planning

[FLORIDA] PLANNING Published by the Florida Chapter, American Planning Association, the Florida Planning newsletter has a current circulation of 2,600 members, subscribers and other readers. Four issues are published a year.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS For APA members, Send to: Member Records Department American Planning Association 205 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1200 Chicago, IL 60601 Fax: 312-786-6700 or log onto www.planning.org/myapa

ARTICLES Florida Planning welcomes articles, announcements, letters, pictures and advertising. Call 850-201-3272 regarding articles.

The next issue will be published April 2018.

DEADLINES Article deadlines are generally four weeks prior to publication.

Ad deadlines are generally two weeks prior to publication. Consult the editor for any exception to this schedule.

ABOUT THE CHAPTER APA Florida is a non-profit organization funded through membership dues and fees.

Contributions are also welcomed for general purposes and earmarked programs. Please note that contributions are not tax deductible.

For news and information on Chapter concerns, visit the APA Florida website at www.floridaplanning.org.

APA Florida 2017 Delta Boulevard, Suite 201 Tallahassee, FL 32303 Phone: 850-201-3272 Fax: 850-807-2576

[THANK YOU] TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS

[UPCOMING] EVENTS FEB 6-7: APA FLORIDA PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP & MOBILE TOUR Tallahassee. Let’s ponder some of these big questions facing Florida. The impacts of these issues and more will be covered at the 2018 APA Florida Public Policy Workshop. This one-day workshop is the place to learn what pertinent policy changes may impact the planning community – from the national, state and legal arenas. The workshop will empower you with valuable insights about some of the major policy decisions occurring at the state level. Mobile tour is on Feb. 6. Information here. Workshop is on Feb. 7. Information here. CMs and Legal CMs available.

FEB. 20-23: LAND USE ECONOMIC SESSIONS WITH JOE MINICOZZI Joe Minicozzi’s work focuses on land use economics, a fiscally sound way to proactively manage growth and plan for different types of land uses. At these events, Mr. Minicozzi will provide a highlevel overview of his work in land use economics and property tax analysis, and the firm’s methodology for linking these concepts to land use decisions. Participants will gain a better understanding of the tie between economic productivity and community vitality through land use. Information for all sessions here. 3 CMs. FEB. 21: PLANNING FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN SATELLITE BEACH Webinar. Located on a barrier island near the Kennedy Space Center, the City of Satellite Beach is in the crosshairs of sea level rise. Despite its relatively small population of 10,000 residents, Satellite Beach is a state leader in community resilience planning Information here. 1.5 CMs. Free.

FEB. 21, MARCH 14 & APRIL 11: TOWN HALL LECTURE SERIES Jensen Beach. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and partners (with the APA Florida Treasure Coast Section as a co-host) present a lecture series for elected and appointed officials, practicing professionals, residents and visitors of the region. The series is intended to focus on town planning, urban design, and changing trends that will affect and influence the long-term health and resilience of our communities. This series will showcase four distinguished speakers, scheduled from January through April 2018. Information here. 1.5 CMs sought for each event. Free.

FEB. 27: ADAPTATION PLANNING FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES Naples. Coastal communities increasingly realize the need for adaptation strategies, but many are unsure where to begin. This intensive and interactive course provides individuals with a thorough grounding and practical skills for incorporating adaptation strategies into planning processes.

Information here. CMs pending.

MARCH 21: 2018 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP Webinar. 1000 Friends President Ryan Smart, Policy and Planning Director Thomas Hawkins, and Board Member Emeritus Lester Abberger will discuss key growth management, environmental and related bills and budgeting that passed and failed during the 2018 Legislative Session and how this impacts state and local governance and planning in Florida. Information here. 1.5 Legal CMs. Free.

For more information on these and other APA Florida events, please visit www.floridaplanning.org/calendar/