by TRC_Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Historic
Photo: Courtesy Photo in Naples Florida Weekly
“The Everglades Society for Historic Preservation, Inc. reported its Bank of Everglades building project was included for funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. With support of Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, the Bank of Everglades was appropriated $3 million from Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funds for community and economic development. These and other funds will be directed at stabilizing the building and its foundation, securing its structural integrity.
The Bank of Everglades building, located in the heart of Everglades City and individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a prominent reminder of the heritage of Everglades City and the development of Collier County and Southwest Florida.
Recognizing the importance of saving the structure, ESHP has undertaken its rehabilitation. The building has survived hurricanes and floods, gone through uses as a rooming house and then bed and breakfast, only to be vacant for more than six years. Once rehabilitation is completed, a multi-year, multi-phase undertaking, the building will serve as the Everglades Area Visitor Center as well as one of Florida’s Trail Town Headquarters. In addition, the renovated structure will be available for community meetings, educational programming, travelling exhibits and other activities appealing to visitors and supporting local businesses and community groups…
For information, visit www.eshp.org
— Naples Florida Weekly
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by TRC_Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Billboards, City Signs, Codes
Photo: John Hart, Wisconsin State Journal
“A federal appeals court has rejected a lawsuit by Adams Outdoor Advertising that claimed the city of Madison’s sign ordinance is unconstitutional.
The city and Adams have been battling in court over the city’s sign ordinances for decades, with the newly decided federal lawsuit filed in 2017. Adams owns and operates many billboards in Wisconsin, including about 90 in Madison.
Adams’federal lawsuit began as a sweeping First Amendment challenge to the city’s sign ordinance under a legal standard set in a previous U.S. Supreme Court case involving another municipality. It also challenged the city’s distinction between on- and off-premises signs as well as regulation of digital signs.
In April 2017, Adams submitted 26 applications to the city seeking to modify or replace existing billboards, including raising the height of structures and installing digital sign faces. In June 2017, then-city zoning administrator Matthew Tucker denied 25 of the 26 permits, citing ordinance provisions the proposed modifications would violate. The next month, Adams filed the lawsuit in federal court.
In April 2020, a federal judge dismissed the challenge, saying there’s no constitutional problem with Madison’s sign ordinance. ‘Whether the Capitol Square should look like Times Square is a decision that Madison city government is entitled to make,’ U.S. District Judge James Peterson said at the time.
Adams appealed that decision.
Now, on Jan. 4, in a 16-page decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, upheld the federal district court’s dismissal of Adams’ claims.
‘The city is pleased with this outcome,” Assistant City Attorney Lara Mainella said. “It supports and reinforces our understanding of the law. The city has always been careful to enact and enforce its sign regulations in a way that honors the First Amendment speech rights of those who wish to display signs in our city…'”
— Dean Mosiman, Wisconsin State Journal
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by TRC_Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Billboards, Technology
Photo: Credited as “provided” as seen on New York FOX TV
“…People can now post their own photos on a massive billboard in the heart of Times Square to be displayed throughout the day for $150…
The project, called Welcome-to-Times-Square.com, was launched by Miami-based lawyer Jaime Suarez and began with the idea of helping local brands advertise in Times Square at an affordable price. But the project took an ‘interesting turn’ when Suarez then had the idea of letting regular people post their own pictures, directly from their phones, according to a press release.
…Slots can be booked at TimesSquareBillboard.com, where people can pick a date, upload a photo, and pay $150. The photo will then appear on the billboard for 15 seconds once an hour for 24 hours on the date they selected.
‘We will send you your exact hourly time slot to the email you provided while booking at least one day prior to your display date,’ the website states…”
— Kelly Hayes, New York FOX TV
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by TRC_Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Undergrounding
Photo: NBC-2.com
“…The underground cables have been a concept brought to NBC2 since 2013. Now ten years and a Category 4 hurricane later, a FPL ‘Storm Secure’ sign is posted on the corner of Estero Blvd and Carolina Ave.
‘I know other communities have done it and had some success with it,’ said Jason Cantrell, Fort Myers Beach resident.
Cantrell lives down the street from the sign. He said it brings him hope after he came back to Estero Island to 13 feet of water damage.
‘There was no power when we got here. Everything had been ripped off from the house, so there wasn’t even connection to the house,’ he said.
Cantrell claimed FPL was ready to respond, but first, he had to bring in an electrician.
‘To have those underground and not have to worry about the wind damage would certainly speed recovery up and allow people to get back quicker,’ he said.
Underground power lines are great against wind damage, but it’s no silver bullet. Ian proved that. About 25% of LCEC lines are underground. On Sanibel, a storm surge washed away some of the transformers.
NBC2 asked FPL why the sign is posted and when underground power lines could come to the area. FPL said it does not have any current Undergrounding projects on Fort Myers Beach…”
— Jennifer Kveglis, NBC-2.com
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by TRC_Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Planting, Trees
“In honor of Florida Arbor Day, join us at the Arboretum for a TREE SEED GIVEAWAY sponsored by local non-profit CO2NSQUENCES.ORG!
January 21 at 9 am. Limit 1 plant/tree per person. While supplies last. First come first served.
About : CO2NSEQUENCES.ORG!
High school senior Grant Tucker connects with community leaders and individuals who are working to combat the most cataclysmic issue mankind has ever been faced with- climate change.
Change is a concern for all of mankind and it is our generation’s responsibility to work towards reducing our carbon footprint. By consolidating youth coalition within the movement, amending our current dependency on fossil fuels, and utilizing the benefits of our Mother Earth, we can reach net zero emissions.”
— Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
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