Town Hall asks residents to LED the way

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Lakewood Ranch residents have now have a unique opportunity to shine light on what they want for their community.

As Lakewood Ranch Town Hall’s Operations Department moves forward with converting street lights in Community Development Districts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, it hopes residents will take a closer look at LED light options. Three tones for LED lights, two lights for each color temperature, are being demoed near the intersection of Lakewood Ranch and River Club boulevards, on the east side of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, heading southward. The LED lights have a whiter appearance than their traditional-bulb counterparts.

“The idea is, we are seeking resident input on the color temperature and what they prefer,” Operations Director Ryan Heise said. “If you Google 'LED street light projects,' one of the biggest criticisms is a lot of residents didn’t like the cooler white.” 

Residents can weigh in by participating in an online survey, surveymonkey.com/r/lwrstreetlights, over the next month. The link also is available on Town Hall’s website, lakewoodranchgov.org and on its Facebook page.

Because the project is a retrofitting project, Heise said he believes once a vendor is selected for the project, installation of LED lights should take no more than 90 days. He expects the project will be completed in early 2016.

CDDS 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 have budgeted a total of $352,621 in fiscal year 2015-16 for converting Lakewood Ranch’s street lights to LED lights. The boards are slated to adopt their budgets at their August meetings.

Heise said LED lights will improve safety and visibility, while also reducing maintenance and other costs associated with street lighting. He estimates the districts will save $1.5 million in energy savings over the 20-year life cycle of the LED bulbs that are being installed.

Lakewood Ranch began demoing LED street lights more than five years ago. LED street lights already are installed at Lorraine Road and its intersection with The Masters Avenue, Players Drive, Hidden River Trail and at the Braden River Bridge.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].