Plant City’s historic downtown is one of its shining attributes. Diverse shops and unique restaurants add character to the quaint section of town. City Manager Bill McDaniel made it his mission to spearhead the revitalization of downtown with a “refresh project” that began on June 4.
EcoClean Power Washing, LLC began pressure washing the mold and dirt-covered sidewalks, AKCA Incorporated restriped the brick streets and the parking spaces around downtown and the City began restriping the asphalt streets and parking spaces in the area. Part of the cleanup included finally utilizing the planters on Evers Street, which had been sitting bare with no greenery.
“I just thought downtown looked dirty and neglected,” McDaniel said. “I thought this was a good way to change that by making just simple, but necessary improvements. Our historic downtown is a large source of business for the city and it’s something we should all be proud of.”
The area impacted lies south of Baker Street, east of Wheeler Street, west of Palmer Street and down to the railroad tracks south of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Most of the work is already completed with minor changes still left to occur.
Because so many events are held in historic downtown, McDaniel said it was also important they install a crosswalk near McCall Park. He said any event held in downtown raises a lot of pedestrian traffic across Collins Street between the two halves of the busy park.
This also will help during the day with the increase in foot traffic downtown thanks to virtual outdoor games, new businesses opening and an increasing number of events. This will hopefully offer both a safe space to walk and inform drivers there are pedestrians in the area.
“Those are relatively small things we are doing that I hope are going to make a big difference,” McDaniel said.