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8.J. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF WORK ORDER FOR DESIGN OF 45TH STREET <br />STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS <br />Althea McKenzie asked why community residents were not hired to perform the design <br />service for the streetscape improvements, since the grant came from the Department of <br />Economic Opportunity (DEO). She questioned whether local citizenry would be employed to <br />work on the landscaping phase of the project, and also asked if drainage improvements would be <br />made from 33rd Avenue to 40th Avenue. <br />Community Development Director Bob Keating disclosed that the $25,000 planning <br />grant from the DEO will pay for the design services, leaving intact the $350,000 that the County <br />has designated to implement the design. He explained that due to the small size of the grant and <br />the scarcity of landscape architects in the community, staff proposes to have Kimley-Horn and <br />Associates, Inc. perform the design work under the County's continuing contract with the firm. <br />Vice Chairman Davis spoke of the benefits of culverting a portion of the drainage ditch <br />of the Indian River Farms Water Control District (IRFWCD), and wanted to start planning in that <br />direction. <br />Ms. McKenzie discussed the need to have sidewalks on both sides of the canal for <br />pedestrians and bicyclists, and to accommodate the two "walking school buses" going to Gifford <br />Middle School and Dodgertown Elementary. She encouraged the Board to see if there is a way <br />to fill in the canal, and to look at all the improvements that will be required as a whole for the <br />area where the streetscape improvements will be made. <br />Chairman Flescher stated that all future Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) <br />projects must include sidewalk enhancement and development. <br />Director of Public Works Chris Mora explained that at this time, there is an insufficient <br />BK144PG517 <br />amount of funding to construct the sidewalks on the south side. <br />November 5, 2013 8 <br />