February 21, 2008

30A now designated by state as ‘Scenic 30A’

County Road 30A is now known as Scenic 30A.
The Scenic Corridor Committee was presented the designation at the Florida Department of Transportation office in Tallahassee at 4 p.m. on Feb. 20. The committee will now be working with the FDOT to place signs with the official scenic logo all along the road.
“Most importantly, now that we’re official, we will work under the Corridor Management Plan,” said Scenic Corridor Chair Claire Bannerman. “We are now a SOLC3 non-profit organization with bylaws that requires special tasks for preserving the roadway.”
The designation project has been in the works for nine years and was initially spearheaded by then County Commissioner Tim Pauls and former Commissioner Van Ness Butler.
Bannerman said she hopes with the designation there will be new opportunities to beautify the roadway.
“Our group has already explored the waste management along the bike trails,” she said. “I hope now we can put up lights that would be useful on street crossings, provide transportation such as trolleys and put in water fountains.”
The group has previously worked with Gladding Jackson in Tallahassee on acquiring new signs and lighting on mile markers. With the scenic designation, the FDOT will now have a greater role in what will appear on the roadway.
Bannerman said there will be a ribbon cutting sometime in April on both ends of the road and a special presentation for the Scenic Corridor Committee at the March 11 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
“My special goal with all of this is harmony,” said Bannerman. “Citizens here need to protect the citizens’ interest.”

Article by Sean Boone at the Walton Sun