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County Ending Care Of Medians

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

RUSKIN - Hillsborough County maintenance crews spruced up medians on U.S. 41 one last time Thursday before turning the job over to state or private entities.

County officials said in the fall that budget cuts meant maintenance of the medians, which are on a state highway, would be turned over to the Florida Department of Transportation. State officials said there's no money to pay for upkeep of landscaping other than grass and palm trees.

In Riverview, county and state officials worked out an agreement with the chamber of commerce that would allow business sponsors to pay for median maintenance on U.S. 301 that meets state standards. Those medians were planted with crape myrtle trees.

Officials said they would consider a similar agreement with the Ruskin Community Development Foundation. The organization has until March 6 to find sponsors to pay for maintenance of at least four medians that have received special landscaping or watch government workers remove the shrubs and flowers.

Hillsborough's Public Works Department agreed to mow and trim the medians one last time. For information about sponsoring a median, call Sandy Council at (813) 645-7710.

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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