Say goodbye to the quaint gas lights around the village
The gas lights, which have been a fixture in the Grove for about forty years are now going to be history in favor of the acorn-shaped lights, shown here upper right. That quaint scene at the corner of Fuller and Grand (above left) and every quaint scene, will now be changed in the name of utility.The gas lights, which are actually electric (but were gas at one time) added a lot of ambiance to the Grove, but it seems that they are not part of FPL's plans. FPL will be taking over the maintenance of all the new lighting and they will not maintain the gas lights.
The Grove relinquished the maintance and "ownership" of the lighting because FPL will actually take over all expenses on fixing, repairing and maintaining the lights.
What next, take away the brick sidewalks? Those gas lights said, "Coconut Grove" to me. It just won't be the same.
posted by Tom Falco at 12:05 PM
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22 Comments:
Grape,
The "gas" lights were never gas but were electric from the beginning when they were first installed in the 1970s. At the time, the particular model chosen was more of a flimsy suburban yard ornament than a fixture that could withstand the inevitable abuse of an urban setting. In short order, a significant number of the original batch were broken off at the base. By and by, sturdier units were installed and the myth developed that fixtures of this sort had been here from the beginning. For what it's worth, the brick sidewalks were installed at the same time in order to give the place an aura of presto historic. No question the "gas" lights and brick sidewalks are a nice touch, but they are about as "historic" as disco.
A couple of people at the Merchants meeting last week said that they were originally gas and changed to electric about 20 years ago. That's where I got that from.
I like them but its not like they are putting up a giant concrete pole.
Pick your battles. This is not one we should worry about because we got a decent deal.
Doesn't matter if they are historic or not, they are charming and quaint. It's a shame they have to go. Another Sarnoff project. Don't ask the public what they want, just do it.
Where can I buy them once they are removed? I know a community that can put them to very good use.
Bottom line - we need more lights and better lights. And we need more lights in the trees. Let's do whatever it takes to light up the Grove. Damn, you guys complain when nothing gets done and you complain when things get done.
I hope they put them over the parking meter things so I can see where to pay!
I dont see much of a difference between the two and I doubt the average person will notice. Hell, the new ones may turn out to be a better look once you see them all up. There are much worse things to focus energy on.
Its a better deal for the city. FPL loses money on street light services.
Wait until Obama stimulus passes. There will be so much government money out there that they will change the streets to cobblestone and them back to pavement in less than a years time. We got to payback, I mean employ the unions somehow.
If it isn't broke don't fix it. Why spend the money on these new lights when we need better and more parking/security/marketing/street signs/tourist....... in the Grove? Some guy from the city was saying that they want to remove large trees from grove streets and want to plant new species of trees to prevent root damage to sidewalks. What next? Hell, I want to be on the receiving end of all these contracts!!
Grape, who IS on the receiving end of these contracts that drain what few dollars we have to enhance our community? There are no funds to bring artist into the Grove, but funding to replace perfectly adequate lighting???????????
Two Tourist booths that in fact do nothing. I mean how many curves and turns must be navigated to get around in the Grove, that cost, what, about $800,000.00? New light post will cost what, about $900,000.00. An entrance sign on 27th Avenue, costing what $250,000.00. That sign above Crook & Crook that said go no further, dine in the Grove, $32,000.00. The artist have departed, the shrimp boats are about to leave, the theater is closing down, albeit a new one might be coming in about Spring 2010; but not to worry, there is change in the air----prepare for a new business model.
The old street lamps are in shoddy condition and do not light up the streets or sidewalks adequately. Quit whining. The city got it right on this issue. Now, they need to refurbish 27th Avenue and quickly. It is a disgrace.
Anon 9:18, this board is being used as the lobbying ground on this and other issues like Miami Parking Authority and the never ending parking problem in the Grove and etc. The writer of Anon 8:53 and Anon 1:59 are obviously not just expressing opinion, they are lobbying and advocating for the new lights. This is how things work in Miami, grab all that you can.
Anon 1:43,
That's some talent you've got there, being able to discern between lobbying (bad) and expressing an opinion (good).
Anon 7:26, thanks, there is a HUGE difference between advocacy/lobbying and expressing an opinion.
Real quick like for the apparently illiterate commentors - FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYING FOR THE LIGHTS; FP&L IS PAYIN FOR THE LIGHTS;
any questions?
That Guy. I work for FP&L in the applications department and we do not pay for any lighting, anywhere except on property owned or leased by FP&L. You must be thinking 1975, or there abouts, when Kodax and Savin copy machines gave away cameras and copy machines, but you had to purchase their supplies. It's always possible you know something I do not, please identify your source.
Comm. Marc Sarnoff is the source, you may call his office if you have any questions.
PS. We don't make up the news here.
@ old timer:
I loved reading your post! I was always suspect whenever it was mentioned that those were "real gas lights from olden days" - Beacon Hill, Boston still has those old gas lights and they are STILL lit with gas, they're gorgeous! A totally Dickensian look. I wish we had the preservation board they did! Glad to hear the lights are replacing simulated scenery after all. I was really sad at first.
No one has said they were old gas lights from the olden days, but we were told that for the first few years, about 40 years ago, when they were first installed here, they were gas lights, then they turned to electric 20 or 25 years ago.
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