Gazette Wilton Manors
Volume 2 • Issue 23 December 2, 2015
Twice-Monthly Neighborhood Outlook
Community Business
City Applies For $3 Million in Grants for Roadway Improvements By Michael d’Oliveira
As city officials hope to get state officials to narrow Wilton Drive and pay for it, they want the same with Northeast 26 Street and Northwest 29 Street. On Nov. 24, commissioners voted to apply for $3 million in grants to make roadway improvements to both streets – Northeast 26 Street from Five Points to Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale and Northwest 29 Street from Andrews Avenue to Powerline Road. The city is partnering with Fort Lauderdale on the Northeast 26 Street grant because a portion of the project is in Fort Lauderdale. In two grants to the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization [MPO], each at $1.5 million, the city requests that both streets be narrowed and bicycle lanes added. Safety median islands are part of the Northeast 26 Street request “when feasible.” The city is applying for the grants under the MPO’s Complete Streets program, defined by the MPO as “a street where the entire right of way is planned, designed,
and operated for all modes of transportation and all users regardless of age or ability. Pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street. Complete streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, catch the bus, and bike to work.” If approved, the grants would be awarded in 20192020. Paul Rolli, president of the Central Neighborhood Association, said improvements to the streets are necessary or else “our roads are just going to be thoroughfares.” Resident Paul Kuta disagreed. “I think we are losing all common sense in supporting the Complete Streets program for narrow roads in our city. Our priority in transportation planning should be to ensure that people and emergency responders can drive to and from work, shopping, schools and emergencies safely and expeditiously.”WMG
Bike Drive to Give “Shiny New” Presents to Children
Charity
By Michael d’Oliveira
Like a dedicated elf, Bob Gagnon has assembled a small fleet of bicycles every December for the last five years. He doesn’t get paid but he knows the bicycles will go to needy children, and that’s payment enough. “At 71 years old, I’ve had a good life and it’s time for me to pay back the society where I got the good life from. It’s just a good deed.” The bikes are for Nick Berry’s annual Bike Drive for Kids In Distress. For the last six years, Barry, with the help of those giving him bicycles, has donated them to local children for Christmas. “It started as just a reason to have a party and it just grew,” said Berry, co-owner of Courtyard Café and Rumors Bar and Grill. “The first year we got seven bikes. Last year we had 204. We’re hoping to break that record. I’m just over 100 right now.” This year, he’ll be giving the bicycles to Kids In Distress, the Children’s Diagnostic Center, the Wilton Manors Police Department, for its bike safety event, and one or two other organizations.
“We try to spread it around . . . to keep it within the city.” Along with bicycles, which can be ordered online and shipped to Barry’s house, monetary donations are also accepted. Those who donate money or bikes are invited to the party he throws every year to thank donors. Choosing to donate bikes stems back to Barry’s own Christmas memories. “I remember when I was a kid living out in the country outside Detroit. I remember getting my shiny new bicycle. It feels good to know we can give a couple hundred shiny new heart-warming presents to people who have less than we have. It just makes me feel good. It just really brings a whole different community together.” Bikes and monetary donations are tax deductible. WMG To make a donation, call Berry at 954-805-1195. Individuals who want to attend the donor party must RSVP by Dec. 10.
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