Bollards light the way for Village crosswalks

At about 10 p.m. July 26, Sarasota County Public Works proved that many hands make light work.

Public Works Director Jim Harriott and staff members Tom Maroney, Ryan Montague and Chris Hauber joined Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes and Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mark Smith, for a crosswalk lighting demonstration in Siesta Key Village. And, after two similar outings, they showed that the third time’s the charm — potentially.

Onlookers watched, and inadvertently participated, in the experiment aimed at improving pedestrian safety. Sunovia Energy Technologies Vice President in charge of business operations and investor relations Craig Hall exhibited two LED Stonelight bollards, partly manufactured by his firm, on each side of Ocean Boulevard in front of Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar. Smith said he was satisfied with the specifications this time.
The demonstrations have been difficult because of the amount of ambient light from decorations on surrounding trees, Hauber said. That interferes with light from bollards, which makes it hard to see their full effect. The goal is to make pedestrians visible to drivers, without blinding the drivers.

But, placement of the 15-watt fixture, which would ideally sit adjacent to a sidewalk ramp, could violate restrictions in the Americans With Disabilities Act. The measurements of the spot in front of Daiquiri Deck, which Siesta Key Association Vice President Peter van Roekens said is one of the most dangerous areas in the Village, appear to be compliant, Maroney explained. Federal Department of Transportation officials will have to confirm measurements, but two contactors from the department are currently on vacation, according to Montague.

Further complicating a timeline for installation, Sarasota County will need to issue a request for proposal for a product matching what Sunovia presented. 

“The bid specifications have to be loose enough to encourage competition,” Maroney said.

That document could include a request for a pre-bid meeting of firms interested, like the Village maintenance contract, which took nearly six months for Sarasota County to release.