BTactical Pilot Project in the City of Deerfield Beach Goes Without a Hitch!

The Broward MPO Mobility Team successfully implemented the first BTactical Pilot Project in the City of Deerfield Beach from December 8 - December 11!

The City of Deerfield Beach, the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), AARP, and Street Plans had over 70 volunteers help redesigned NE 3rd Avenue between Sample Road and NE 44th Street with paint! This “quick build” project will increase safety and the comfortability of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and drivers during their commute. This temporary redesign will transform NE 3rd Avenue for six months, at a lower cost than permanent improvements. 

“This will have a tremendous impact on the community, it is something they’ve had a say in and participated with; from attending the meetings and finding out all of the information about this project they know it will help keep them safe and potentially save lives,” stated Deerfield Beach Mayor Bill Gants . “Whenever you put something like this in as long as you can keep the traffic flowing and people safe and people have a positive change in their community, it will prove projects like this to be a necessary in a Deerfield Beach and throughout the county."

Volunteers of all ages came out in support of the project to help paint the roadway during the 4-day installation held December 8-11, 2021. Deerfield Beach Commissioners Michael Hudak and Todd Drosky, Tedder Elementary Principal Shinita Coachman-Beavers, Chief Executive Officer at Broward Health North Alice Taylor, AARP Broward representative and BMPO CAC  Chair Ken Reinhart, and Executive Director at the Fruitful Field Chris Reesor along with over 70 additional volunteers, community leaders, and youth rolled up their sleeves to pitch in.

“From this past week if you look at the support from the community and volunteers who’ve come out its proof that building better streets, a better Broward, and ultimately a better life doesn’t necessarily have to a lot of concert and asphalt it can start with a couple of gallons of paint,” gleamed Gregory Stuart, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Director.

The City of Deerfield Beach in partnership with the Broward MPO was awarded a $20,000 grant through the AARP Community Challenge in July 2021 to aid with the funding of this project.  This quick-build project is located within the Tedder Community  along an essential route for pedestrians of all ages who regularly bike and walk to different designations  including four schools (Deerfield Beach High School, Crystal Lake Middle School, Bright Horizons and Tedder Elementary School) within a half-mile radius; Broward Health North, a 409-bed hospital; churches; and other community assets.

The primary components of the quick-build project are intersection improvements, wayfinding and informational signage, traffic calming features, crosswalks with decorative surface treatments and upgrading the existing bike lanes to protected bike lanes. The project will be reversible and adjustable according to the needs of the community. The City of Deerfield Beach is also currently pursuing multiple funding sources to enable permanent improvements on this corridor.

The project will increase visibility through pedestrian treatments and traffic calming. It is the first installation to be executed through the Broward MPO Tactical Urbanism program, Btactical. The quick-build project will be evaluated to see what works and where there is opportunity of improvement for a future, long-term solution to the street. Pedestrians and Bicyclists  counts are being counted during this time to evaluate the use of the corridor, as well as speed data. A survey will be conducted to collect feedback from the community following implementation of the project.

To learn more about this quick-build project and the Btactical program, visit the project website at https://www.browardmpo.org/tactical-urbanism and StoryMap https://arcg.is/0X1Oer

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Btactical Build Days

The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a transportation policy-making board responsible for transportation planning and funding allocations. The Organization works with the public, planning organizations, government agencies, elected officials, and community groups to develop transportation plans in Broward.

The City of Deerfield Beach is committed to making the Deerfield Beach community more livable. The City has been implementing projects and activities with community support to improve the quality of life and develop infrastructure to benefit the Deerfield Beach community.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.