In 2016, the Tierra Verde Community Association (TVCA) requested a beautification project for State Road 679 (Pinellas Bayway). Pinellas County submitted a landscaping grant application to FDOT, which funded over $1.5M for the project.
In 2017, the County and TVCA entered into an agreement, with TVCA responsible for maintaining the landscaping in the Bayway medians.
In 2023, TVCA terminated the agreement. The County’s contract with FDOT required the medians to be returned to their original condition prior to the beautification project; however, the County and FDOT agreed to retain much of the landscaping and maintain to FDOT standards.
County Medians
TVCA has provided enhanced landscaping on other County medians (Monte Cristo, Entrada, West Shore, East Shore).
Current State
The Bayway (State Road 679)
Currently, FDOT and Pinellas County are maintaining the Bayway medians in accordance with FDOT standards outlined in the grant agreement. Under this agreement, FDOT is responsible for mowing the medians and repairing damage from storm and vehicle rutting. Pinellas County is responsible for maintaining existing plants by removing dead materials and managing weeds during 14 maintenance cycles per year to meet FDOT’s requirements.
County Medians
TVCA provides enhanced landscaping and maintenance on all of the other County medians. The County mows these medians based on the county-wide mowing level of service.
Future State
If Tierra Verde residents desire an enhanced level of service for the Bayway and County medians, a funding source must be identified.
One potential option to fund the increased service level is the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU). The funding could be used to provide for on going landscaping maintenance and potentially improvements to the current landscaping.
Without a new funding source, FDOT and the County will continue to maintain the medians to their current standard as outlined in the grant agreement. FDOT will mow the grass on their normal cycle. The County will perform maintenance by picking up palm fronds and treating weeds in the shell area 14 times per year. The County will also remove any plants that die during regularly scheduled maintenance, but these plants will not be replaced.
