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6. Designating the A.B. Michael Bridge <br />Background: A.B. Michael moved to the Indian River region in 1886 and was a strong proponent of Indian <br />River Citrus, having started his own citrus grove on Orchid Isle in 1902. he later became manager and president <br />of Deerfield Groves in 1917; helped manage American Fruit Growers from 1919 to 1946; helped form the In- <br />dian River Citrus League in the 1930's; and served on the Florida Citrus Commission from 1945 to 1949. Due <br />to his achievements and dedication to. the industry, Florida Citrus Mutual refers to A.B. Michael as the "Dean <br />of the Florida Citrus Industry". <br />A.B. Michael was also very active in other aspects of the Indian River community. He assisted in the construc- <br />tion of the Wabasso Bridge Causeway and the Community of Orchid School House. Additionally, A.B. Michael <br />was a strong supporter of Little League baseball in Indian River County and Michael Field in Vero Beach is <br />named in his honor. <br />Section 334.071, Florida Statutes, authorizes the Legislature to designate a transportation facility for honorary <br />or memorial purposes and to direct the Department of Transportation to place markers reflecting such designa- <br />tion. <br />In 1964, the Indian River BCC passed a resolution requesting the Legislature enact legislation designating the <br />bridge as the "A.B. Michael Bridge". However, according to the Florida Department of Transportation list of <br />current road designations, SR 510 Bridge #53, the Wabasso Bridge Causeway, is designated as the "A.B. Mitchell <br />Bridge". It is unclear based on the information provided by the Florida Department of Transportation when <br />the Legislature officially approved this designation. <br />Accordingly, in 2019, the Indian River BCC passed another resolution requesting the SR 510 Bridge be re- <br />named the "A.B. Michael Bridge". <br />Position: Indian River County BCC SUPPORTS legislation which directs the Florida Department of Trans- <br />portation to designate the SR 510 Bridge #53 as the "A.B. Michael Bridge" and which directs markers to be <br />placed on the bridge reflecting such designation. <br />136 <br />10 <br />