he Village Council wants to make it clearer when pedestrians have the right-of-way to cross busy Crandon Boulevard – the challenge is getting that message across without bringing the blinking lights of the Las Vegas strip to the Island Paradise.
Council members discussed options for new pedestrian crossing signage at their Tuesday, May 14, meeting after reviewing a plan developed by Miami-Dade County engineers that would cost $78,000 and bring 42 new signs to a one-mile section of Crandon.
Several local leaders questioned the visual impact of so many signs in such a short span, and a suggestion to use flashing signs – which proponents deem more noticeable and effective – drew an unfavorable reaction from Vice Mayor Mayra Pena Lindsay: “It’s like Vegas,” she said.
While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, Council members said it’s clear they will have to weigh carefully the need to improve pedestrian signage with their desire to keep the Village from being littered with signs.
Village Manager John Gilbert got the ball rolling on the 14th by describing a plan developed by Miami-Dade engineers based on a request brought up by Council member Theo Holloway.
“It’s a significant change on how we treat the intersections where we have folks that are trying to cross four lanes, sometimes as many as five and a half lanes, to get across the street,” Gilbert said.
Building, Zoning and Planning Director Jud Kurlancheek said the plan would bring signs to all non-signalized intersections – meaning those from the Village Green South, or excluding the Key Colony Drive, Harbor Drive and Sonesta Drive intersections.
Kurlancheek described 42 signs – four each at seven intersections, and two each warning drivers they are approaching a pedestrian crosswalk.
The signs would be located in the swale and in the median, according to the County’s plan.
While the signs described by Kurlancheek would simply be regular placards, Council member Michael Kelly asked if flashing signs – not for all 42, but for some of them – would be the better option, noting from what he’s heard, that’s what concerned residents want.
Kelly sees their point: “I think those are more effective than any of these,” he said. “I think all these non-flashing signs are just visual pollution that won’t slow drivers down at all.”
Pena Lindsay disagreed.
She said a series of non-flashing signs on her commute through Coconut Grove appear to do a good job of slowing down traffic in pedestrian-crossing areas. Pena Lindsay noted 42 flashing signs would be a horrible visual – even 42 non-flashing signs sounds “ridiculous,” she remarked.
Holloway agreed: “We don’t need more flashing signs,” he said; Kurlancheek added he too finds 42 signs excessive. “I fully agree with you, but I’m just the messenger,” he said.
Although Kelly held to his position – “Obviously I’m in the minority, but I think the obnoxious flashing slows people down,” he said – he suggested whatever the Council decides to do, it start by doing it at just a couple intersections, to see how it goes and cut down on expenses.
Other local leaders liked the idea; ultimately, the Council directed Gilbert and Kurlancheek to go back to the County to see if they can fine-tune the proposal or consider other options.
About the Author
Kelly Josephsen graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. While there, she served as editor of the student newspaper, The Daily Vidette.
After working for three years as a business and higher education reporter at The Pantagraph in Bloomington, Illinois, Kelly relocated to South Florida in 2003. She currently covers local government for The Islander News.
During her tenure with The Islander News, she has received several editorial awards from the Florida Press Association and the National Newspaper Association for her writing.
Kelly enjoys running, reading and spending time with friends and family. She is married to Brandon, an attorney, and they both have a son, Anthony.
