The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued a public announcement to open competition for its Highway Beautification Grant Program (HBC). The City of Miramar will respond with the submittal of a grant application in the amount of $100,000 for Landscape Improvements along University Drive/State Road 817. In doing so, the City will take advantage of funding made available to local governments when planning for state highway landscape beautification projects. The grant program is funded yearly through the State of Florida’s legislative process.
The grant will be utilized to provide for design, survey, preparation of design contract, technical specifications, drawings, permitting, cost of material, and installation of an irrigation system and plants. A total of $1,000,000 has been authorized for statewide disbursement, to applicants successfully completing FDOT/HBC grant process. The City of Miramar is seeking the maximum award amount of $100,000 available to each eligible applicant. Applicants are encouraged to submit requests with matching funds or in-kind contributions to improve their position for the award. The City will offer a match of funds in the form of design fees and the cost for establishment of the new plants.
The design phase of the project is expected to commence after execution of the Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) with the FDOT. Construction of the project must be substantially completed within two years of executing a JPA. “The City of Miramar’s efforts to continue beautification is not only consistent with planning, but aligns itself with values like Beauty and Progress which the City of Miramar readily promotes and has enjoyed over time,” stated Public Works Director, Bernard Buxton-Tetteh.
