Spring Bayou Lighting Project On Track For 2013

It has been more than a year since the City of Tarpon Springs first considered installing a lighting system at Spring Bayou, and plans are moving along swiftly, according to Public Works Director Tom Funcheon. He recently revealed that it is safe to say Tarponites will be able to enjoy the new lighting at Spring Bayou by next Christmas.

Spring Bayou is located in Craig Park, where a number of annual activities take place, from diving for the cross at the Epiphany Celebration to the Annual Fine Art Festival.

In the summer of 2011, City Commissioner Townsend Tarapani added the topic of a lighting system in Spring Bayou to a commission agenda. 

"Lighting in Spring Bayou to me has always been a no-brainer beautification project," Tarapani said.

Tarapani went on to say that other areas of the city are illuminated, and the bayou should be no different. 

From the beginning, commissioners agreed that a lighting system would yield positive change, offering a place for evening activities like outdoor exercise and manatee sightings. 

Funcheon has a special interest in the project and thinks that the new system will create a more inviting and safe environment.

"The bayou is my favorite spot in the city," said Funcheon. "With lights, it will become a little more resident friendly at night."

The proposed design is similar to the fixtures located on Tarpon Avenue and Lemon Street. Funcheon says that the idea is to carry on the historical feel of Tarpon from the downtown area to the bayou.

The design is being assessed by Cardno TBE, where information regarding the potential environmental and social impact will be recorded. The answers to the following questions are crucial to the report:

• How much power will be necessary to operate the system?
• How powerful is the illumination?
• Is the spacing between poles efficient?

Once the data is recorded, Funcheon will present it to the Board of Commissioners. He is hoping the meeting will be held at the end of January, due to the busy time of year.

If approved, the project is being estimated at around $90,000, Funcheon said. 

A bonus for the city is that the project will be completed entirely in house. 
"With the exception of the cost of the light poles, the project will be handled completely by our public works staff" said Tarapani.

Although Funcheon calls the timeline for the system "very fluid," he says that breaking ground should come in early 2013. The annual Fine Arts Festival at Craig Park takes place in early April, and Funcheon plans to keep the ball rolling on the project immediately after that. 

"We should move pretty quickly after that," Funcheon said.