Workshops To Discuss Turning Alternate 19 Into Cultural Corridor

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Spanning nearly 38 miles, Alternate U.S. 19 is the longest roadway in Pinellas County.

It connects the cities of Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Seminole, St. Petersburg and unincorporated Palm Harbor.

But two county agencies are hoping to turn the road into more than simply a way to get from one end of Pinellas County to the other.

Forward Pinellas and Creative Pinellas are exploring ways to transform Alternate 19 into a cultural corridor that will spark urban revitalization and promote tourism, said Forward Pinellas planning division manager Rodney Chatman.

“Research repeatedly indicates the benefits of art on a vast variety of levels: improved health outcomes, boosting economies, better academic performance and general improved well-being on both individual and societal levels,” said Chatman.

Given those benefits, he said it makes sense to enhance and draw attention to the artistic and cultural assets that already exist in the community by creating a cultural corridor.

Examples of potential recommendations from this project include:

· The development of branding themes

· Identification of desirable locations for public art installations and interactive spaces

· Creation of an arts and culture atlas

· Highlight creative businesses, studios and art galleries

· Ideas for artistic/decorative sidewalk, crosswalk and intersection treatments

· Wayfinding themes

· Locations for murals

· Artistic treatments for bridges and pedestrian overpasses

· Lighting treatments

· The pursuit of grant funds for capital projects

The agencies began meeting in June with members of the arts community and other interested residents and business people to begin discussions on creating a cultural corridor.

Other workshops are scheduled for Monday, July 16 at from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center and Monday, July 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo.

For more information, visit the websites for Forward Pinellas and Creative Pinellas.

Image via city of Tarpon Springs

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