City celebrates opening of art-filled Palm Aire bridges
BY Diane Emeott-Korzen
Pompano Beach – Over 100 walkers, runners, bicyclists, dog owners, city commissioners and employees, and members of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, turned out on a 60-degree Dec. 6 for a ribbon cutting ceremony atop one of two Palm Aire bridges. The purpose of the bridge Improvement was to create a stronger pedestrian connection between the North Palm Aire Drive Bridge, West Palm Aire Drive Bridge, and Herb Skolnick Center.
The two bridges now feature new railings and lighting, and wider sidewalks allowing both pedestrians and cars to cross safely. Structural improvements under the bridges extend their life cycle. A pathway of refurbished asphalt, shade and flowering trees, unified light pole themes, benches and trash receptacles lead to the Herb Skolnick Center.
Pompano Beach Artist Dennis Friel beautified the bridges with his custom-created artwork inspired by the Everglades. Rich, colorful images of osprey, limpkin, and a roseate spoonbill; peacock bass, tarpon and snook are displayed on the bridges.
Mayor Rex Hardin gave opening remarks, followed by District 5 Commissioner Barry Moss who represents Palm Aire. Hardin gave a nod to Assistant City Manager Earl Bosworth and consultant Horacio Danovich, who he called “the driving force behind a lot of these GO bond projects.”
The $181 million GO bond initiative was approved by voters in 2018.
Seven G.O. Bond projects remain under construction: Phase 2 of the Dixie Highway improvements. Phase 3 will begin in January or February and run concurrently with Phase 2. State Road A1A, with a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation going toward a portion of improvements, and Fire Station #52.
Not yet under construction is McNab Road slated to begin Spring of 2024, the Ultimate Sports Park, being re-evaluated; the EOC Center and Public Safety Complex. These last two are separate projects at the same location. It is possible they may be merged into one project, Danovich said.
Moss credited Palm Aire resident Darlene Smith and her husband David with “lighting a spark to get the walkers and bicyclists together.” The Smiths created the Palm Aire Trail Users Group by encouraging residents using the trails and bridges to go from just waving “hi” to building community.
“If someone is a regular walker, and you haven’t seen them in awhile, you can call to check on them. Today, at the ribbon cutting event, people are having breakfast together who didn’t know each other before,” Darlene Smith said. “We started with 35 or 40 people and now have 65,” her husband said.
Palm Aire Trail Users will host three get-togethers during season ”to turn an acquaintance into a friend.” – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 4, March 7, and Oct. 10 at the Palm Aire Gazebo at the C-14 Canal Bridge at West Palm Aire Drive and Oaks Drive, across from Skolnick Center.
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