Change can be difficult, even in autumn.
Efforts by the city of Bradenton Beach to beautify Bridge Street and simultaneously improve stormwater drainage meant temporarily tearing up parts of the street.
But the finished product will blossom with a faux-brick surface on the street and crosswalks, replacement of some asphalt with small rock areas that filter stormwater into the ground, large planter boxes with benches and replacement of some plants and trees in favor of others.
The plan first met resistance from the Scenic Waves Partnership Committee.
But Scenic Waves gave input Nov. 18 on landscaping for the renovation plan.
Satisfied with a planting list that includes 70 percent Florida native plants/30 percent non-natives and edibles — moringa trees were approved, sea grapes were not — Scenic Waves gave its blessing to the overall project.
However, seeing some of the trees cut down to short stumps — before full removal, a necessary step in the process for improving stormwater drainage, according to city engineer Lynn Burnett — bewildered some Bridge Street shop owners and area residents.
They took photographs of the truncated trees and shared their displeasure at the loss of palms and shade, but apparently no one complained at city hall.
The large, new planters that will go on Bridge Street are designed to “disappear” under thriving foliage, Burnett said. The benches are comfortable for sitting, but also are designed not to attract overnight use.
Burnett said the project should be completed by Dec. 15, so holiday shoppers can patronize Bridge Street without having to dodge the workers and heavy equipment.
She said she went up and down Bridge Street and was able to tell many merchants what the city planned.
Many of the trees being removed from Bridge Street are decades old and outgrew their scale, Burnett said.
Roots were exposed, causing concrete slabs to shift and creating a liability and a hazard for pedestrians and the city.
The new trees will be suitable for the scale of the street, she said.
While some folks doubt the edibles will be useful, Burnett said Shawn Miller, owner of Back Alley Treasures & Bar, 108 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, said he plans to add moringa smoothies to his menu.
Roots run through lounge
The fall air was crisp Nov. 25, filled with the repetitive noise of workers using heavy equipment to fill large holes with small rocks in a Bridge Street parking area.
Merchants talked outside on their cellphones. A dad played mini-golf with his sons.
Their mom, Darlene Gjelvik, relaxed on a bench. She was reading a newspaper less than 100 feet from where heavy equipment from Woodruff and Sons Construction of Bradenton spread the rocks.
Gjelvik was visiting from St. Louis and her family rented a cottage in Holmes Beach for a week.
She said Nov. 25 the noise wasn’t fazing her.
One note for Burnett: It had rained at least once since they arrived and Gjelvik said stormwater disperses more quickly on Anna Maria Island than in St. Louis, where rain often results in mud.
Meanwhile, Kim Herman, a co-owner of Sports Lounge, 118 Bridge St., for 25 years, said a nearby tree that workers recently removed had “invaded our building with roots that got under our carpet.” It’s been a problem for about a decade, she said.
“I’m glad to see it gone because of the problems it’s caused,” she said.
Randy Allen, a Bradenton Beach resident for six years, was on Bridge Street Nov. 25, watching workers unload the rocks.
He said he’s impressed by the project.
“Every time it rains, we drive in (standing) water,” Allen said of life on the island.
“So anything they can do to eliminate that is a good idea.”
Adam Ellis, owner of Blue Marlin Grill, 121 Bridge St., said Nov. 25, he supports the renovations.
“The people who have been in charge of this make it as little inconvenient as they possibly can,” Ellis said.