FDOT to reinstall Gulf of Mexico Drive signs

After removing road signs signifying the name of Longboat Key’s main road, the Florida Department of Transportation will now put the signs back up.

With the name Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The reinstallation of the signs comes as a surprise as FDOT originally told town staff that they would not reinstall the Gulf of Mexico Drive signs regardless of what the town decided.

“If we want to name it anything other than Gulf of Mexico Drive, they will put a new sign up,” Tipton said in September. “But if we keep it as Gulf of Mexico Drive, they will put up a sign that says State Road 789.”

That stance has changed. FDOT District One Director of Public Information Janella Newsome said in an email to the Longboat Observer that the old Gulf of Mexico Drive street signs would be reinstalled soon.

“The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is aware of the Town of Longboat Key’s decision to retain the existing local name of State Road 789. In response, FDOT will restore the previously removed local street name signs along the corridor,” Newsome said. “The Department is coordinating with its contractor to reinstall the signage in accordance with FDOT standards and local guidance. Work is expected to be completed in the coming months, and no additional changes are planned at this time.”

FDOT removed Gulf of Mexico Drive signs in August on traffic arms at multiple intersections on the town’s main road. It was in response to the passage of a state law that directed state agencies to “update their geographic materials to reflect the new federal designation of the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.”

FDOT’s move to remove the signs did not change the local road name, but after removal of the signs, the town announced it would hold a public meeting to discuss whether the town should change the name of Gulf of Mexico Drive. After a flood of input from residents and a well-attended town workshop meeting on the subject, commissioners unanimously agreed the local name of the road would remain the same: Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“When I took my oath to serve in Longboat Key, the job that I have sitting in this chair is to be responsible for the health, welfare and safety of the residents of Longboat Key. There is nothing about the name of the street that meets any of those categories,” at-large town commissioner B.J. Bishop said at the October workshop.

Feedback from residents overwhelmingly supported keeping the road name Gulf of Mexico Drive according to town staff tallying of resident input which showed 83% support of the town not taking any action.

A small group of residents, though, said changing the name to Gulf of America Drive or something to honor veterans would be more appropriate than leaving the road named Gulf of Mexico Drive. Veteran, Commissioner and Gulf of Mexico Drive resident Steve Branham said, personally, he supported changing the name of the road, but that he voted to keep the road name the same to honor the democratic process.

On Saturday, the town is holding a celebration at the Town Green to mark the 70th anniversary of the town, and honor veterans. Town leaders hope the new signs are installed by then, and that the issue of street names is behind them.

“We’re very thankful that they’re going to move quickly to put the signs back up and put the issue to rest,” Mayor Ken Schneier said. “Knock on wood. I’m happy to have it ended.”