Eyesores no more.
Unsightly benches bearing assorted advertisements will be removed from a stretch of causeway running from Bradenton to Holmes Beach.
Ingrid McClellan, Keep Manatee Beautiful executive director emeritus, called for the benches to be removed from the 4.5-mile Palma Sola Scenic Highway from 75th Street West in Bradenton to East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach.
The Bradenton City Council agreed at its May 23 meeting. Fourteen benches within the city limits will be removed.
Benches on Manatee County rights of way on the causeway already were removed, but Bradenton had a long-standing agreement with an advertising bench company and the city had concerns over removal until McClellan point to the state regulation.
Advertising is limited by the Legislature along state scenic highways, according to McClellan.
McClellan pushed for the bench cleanup at an April 4 joint meeting of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity with scenic highway counterparts in Bradenton Beach and from Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
She also noted many of the benches on the causeway are in close proximity to Manatee County Area Transit stops, with benches, trash bins and handicap access.
A letter from McClellan was sent to Bradenton Police Chief Melanie Bevan.
“Palma Sola Scenic Highway is on a beautiful city waterfront,” according to the letter. “The CME believes these benches are not located to the public benefit.”
The Palma Sola Scenic Highway CME will next meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Bradenton Public Works, 114 Ninth St. W.