How To Accelerate Small Town Revitalization Through A TV Show
Florida Planning Conference 2025
Wednesday, September 17
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
SESSION OUTLINE
I. Before the Show: Planning Context/Project Background
II. During the Show: City Administration Insights
III. Behind the Scenes: Implementation Opportunities and Challenges
IV. Post Show: Next Steps For Downtown Sebring
BEFORE THE SHOW PLANNING CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
DOWNTOWN SEBRING CRA
• Location: City of Sebring’s Historic District, Highlands County, FL
•Year Established: 1981
• Size: Approx. 632 acres
• Population: 11,185 (City of Sebring, 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates)
REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
2023 STUDY BACKGROUND
• Sebring CRA Pedestrian Safety and Lighting Enhancements Study (2023)
• Provide a plan for:
•Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
•Lighting improvements
•Traffic calming mechanisms
STUDY LIMITS
• Downtown Sebring CRA limits
• Focused on Circle Park and surrounding area
• Included Lemon Street and MLK Jr. Street
PROJECT APPROACH: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Data Analysis
Traffic Data
Pedestrian Data
Crash Data
Existing Facility Data
Field Observations
Walk project corridors
Observe Existing Conditions
Note barriers and obstacles to mobility
Wide Straight Streets
May result in increased speeds
Crosswalks
Some have faded markings and there are limited opportunities to cross safely
|FIELD OBSERVATIONS
On-Street Parking
Not consistently striped contributes to feeling of wide streets
Safety Issues at Intersections Include visibility (sight lines) and signage
Lighting
Circle Park is not adequately lit – causing visibility and safety concerns
IDENTIFIED NEEDS
Speed control and traffic calming
Striping of parking spaces
Additional street markings
Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks
Increased pedestrian crossing locations
Enhanced lighting at street level
Intersection reconfiguration
TRAFFIC CALMING RECOMMENDATIONS
Painted Bulb-Outs
Painted Crosswalks Map of Recommendation Locations
CHICANES
• Offset curb extensions that slow traffic.
• Increases the amount of public space available.
• Amenities such as: bicycle parking, benches, and planters can be implemented.
SPEED TABLES
• Midblock traffic calming device from curb to curb.
• Raises entire wheelbase of a vehicle approximately 3 inches.
• Used for roadways that are between 25-45 mph.
• Work well with the implementation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB).
• Implement on Commerce Avenue between Circle Park and Mango and Lakeview Drive between Center and Ridgewood
RAISED CROSSWALKS
• Crosswalk acts as a speed table.
• Distinctive materials such as pavers or bricks can be utilized to promote traffic calming, however, additional maintenance may be required.
Whyte
Lakeview/Ridgewood Intersection
ROADWAY
RECONFIGURATION
Lakeview/Ridgewood Intersection
• Realign as a T-intersection through existing pocket park
• Convert Lakeview and Franklin Street back to 2-way operations
• Conduct a Lane Repurposing Study to evaluate potential lane reduction on Lakeview Drive from Ridgewood to Kenilworth
SR 17 REDESIGNATION
8,600 AADT 2 Lanes
14,700 AADT 4 Lanes
15,500 AADT 3 Lanes
www.pedbikeimages.org
LIGHTING RECOMMENDATIONS
LIGHTING RECOMMENDATIONS
• Creation of a lighting implementation plan
• Potential implementation of uplighting along edges of Circle Park focused on tree canopy and sidewalks
• Implementation of spotlights for local landmarkscould also include from buildings onto Circle Park
Downtown Jacksonville. Image credit: Google Street View, January 2021.
Downtown Gainesville. Image credit: Google Street View, March 2023.
Ybor City. Image credit: Google Street View, March 2022.
Example uplighting around trees along a roadway. Image credit: Lighting by Design.
Example of inground focus lighting, Klyde Warren Park. Image credit: Focus Lighting.
Bollard lighting at Amazon Park Running Trail. Image credit: LEDs Magazine, Brian Davies Photography
DURING THE SHOW CITY ADMINISTRATION
CIRCLE PARK REDEVELOPMENT
DOWNTOWN SEATING
DOWNTOWN MURALS
SEBRING SODA SHOP
SOPHIE’S CAFE
STREET ART
BEHIND THE SCENES
IMPLEMENTATION OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
POST SHOW NEXT STEPS FOR DOWNTOWN SEBRING
