The design of the landscaping for Collier Blvd., north of the Jolly bridge, is underway. The landscape design costs were funded by Collier County; the landscape construction costs will be funded by a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant that the county applied for and achieved in the amount of $448,100.

The landscape design will be coordinated with FDOT to assure that the landscaping does not interfere with any future construction on the Jolly bridge. FDOT has advised that we may commence the landscaping 1000 feet north of the bridge. The landscape project limits are approximately 1000 feet north of the bridge for 1.4 miles north along Collier Blvd.

There will be a remaining 0.5 miles of grassy median before reaching the Hammock Bay landscaping on Collier Blvd. The approximate cost to landscape the additional 0.5 miles would be $160,000. I have begun talks with Councilman Mike Minozzi and Terry DiSciullo to request they apply for a grant to finish the job completely to Hammock Bay. We'll work closely together.

The landscape construction is scheduled to commence April 2009.