Jan 4, 2005
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
               (239) 335-2777

BOARD APPROVES U.S. 41 LANDSCAPE PLAN/RED SOX IMPROVEMENTS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 4, 2005) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting (backup can be viewed at
http://www.lee-county.com/meetings/agendafiles/2005/01-04-05/010405/010405.htm). They are:

Landscape Plan - Established nine landscape beautification projects along U.S. 41 in the unincorporated area with $9 million set aside in August 2003 to fund the projects (the funds are from surplus Communications Services Tax revenues). The projects are (all U.S. 41):

• CHARLOTTE COUNTY TO RUNWAY ST - $1,185,586
• RUNWAY ST TO LITTLETON RD - $1,115,360
• LITTLETON RD TO HANCOCK BRIDGE - $1,280,598
• FT MYERS (S CITY LlMlTS) TO COLLEGE $1,053,395
• COLLEGE PKWY TO JAMAICA BAY - $1,016,217
• JAMAICA BAY TO ALICO RD - $1,016,217
• ALICO RD TO SAN CARLOS BLVD - $1,032,740
• SAN CARLOS BLVD TO CORKSCREW RD - $532,741
• CORKSCREW RD TO OLD 41 - $767,146

The purpose of the Board's action was to set up the projects so that the county's Department of Transportation can process develop specific design plans for each segment. The county will follow the guidelines established in the LeeScape Master Plan that have been used for landscaping all county roadways. This plan is basically to follow a treescape program, generally in the medians and to some limited extent on the roadside; however, some enhanced levels of landscaping may be proposed. As the plans are developed, they will be brought back to the Board at Management & Planning workshops to keep the BOCC apprised of the progress and direction.

Red Sox Improvements - Approved spending $526,127 of tourist tax money to add 642 new seats to City of Palms Park for Boston Red Sox spring training. Also approved $313,678 for a weight training facility at the Red Sox minor league complex.

Swimming Pools - Approved an agreement with the Arthritis Foundation, Florida Chapter, to expand a program that uses county pools to provide the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Programs. These programs are water exercise programs designed for persons with arthritis. Water exercise is especially good for people with arthritis because it can relieve the strain on muscles and joints. These classes will be provided at the four year-round pools, which are North Fort Myers Community Pool, Lehigh Acres Community Pool, San Carlos Community Pool, and Pine Island Community Pool.

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