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Hernando Today

South Brooksville Projects OK'd

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: February 4, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners were in agreement Tuesday there is not much they can do to correct neglected improvement projects that had long ago been targeted for South Brooksville.

But there is plenty they can do now, they said.

To that end, board members voted 5-0 to approve a list of short- and long-term projects designed to improve the region, which encompasses a wide geographical swath roughly from U.S. 41 east to Jasmine Drive and from Wiscon Road north to North Broad Street.

But the earmarked projects are already coming under pressure.
Civic activist Richard Howell said these projects have been proposed for revitalization for 30 years. Some were funded but never completed and the money used for other purposes, he said.

"How long are we going to go back and say the same thing over and over and over again?" Howell asked.

Howell said he was discouraged with the way the county's list was assembled.

"We need to meet with the citizens there and talk directly to the citizens as opposed to coming up with these initiatives put together by the county," Howell said.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said the Community Initiative Team, which is looking into South Brooksville needs, meets monthly and it is there that residents can voice their concerns.

Rocco said the board needs cooperation from the city, county and community to produce changes in that area.

"I think we are going in that direction," Rocco said.

Among the projects approved Tuesday and that have yet to be funded:

•A ditch survey: The county has issued a purchase order and a professional agreement is being prepared. The cost of preparing the survey is about $22,000.

The county has determined that a surface level, open drainage ditch system is a health, safety and welfare problem that requires permanent and on-going maintenance by the county's Department of Public Works and the city.

•A Sheriff's Community Center: The estimated cost is $400,000 with an estimated completion date of early 2010.

•Sidewalks on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from U.S. 41 to Main Street: The county has sent off its application for grant money but funding would not be available until 2012. Estimated cost: $359,000 to $375,000.

•Improvements to Kennedy Park (T-ball field and parking): The permit for work has been submitted to the Southwest Florida Water Management District for review. There are pending wetland issues, and a wetland survey would be required. The cost for this project is about $400,000.

Paul Douglas, managing member of the Burnhardt Group LLC, told commissioners his company would be willing to create a single-purpose limited liability company that would fund what he calls a "vitalization" plan for Brooksville.

Douglas said it would be wrong to call it revitalization because those efforts have not yet begun.

Commissioners, at least Tuesday, did not pursue Douglas' offer.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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