City extends Towne Square landscape plan

The developer for the Towne Square Shopping Center, which is undergoing a major facelift, sought a 60-day extension on its deadline.

Construction Manager Bruce Johnson, with Bruin Contracting, barely got a chance to speak Tuesday when Sebring City Councilman Bud Whitlock made a motion to approve the extension.

Johnson pulled a permit on Nov. 18 for a "façade remodel." Work on the shopping center began shortly afterward and is ongoing.

"Good evening, we're here to request an extension on our landscape plan at Towne Square," he said.

"So moved," replied Whitlock as other council members laughed.

"Second," Councilman John Clark jumped in.

Johnson said they were there asking for two months, but three months would be better.

"So moved," said Whitlock.

"Whatever you want," said Whitlock. "That shopping center looks great. These people have done such a great job on it, if they want three years on it they've got it."

Whoa, whoa, responded Councilman John Griffin, amid laughter.

"We'll give you 90 days," said Whitlock. "How's that?"

"We're trying to incorporate the parking lot lights into the whole plan," said Johnson.

Griffin asked if they would be the old fashioned type lights.

"Not in the parking lot," said Johnson, explaining they were trying to avoid "light pollution across the street."

Johnson was encouraged by the council to approach the Community Redevelopment Agency about antique lighting along Lakeview Drive.

He said they should have their completed up-to-date revised landscape plan ready for next week. The plan calls for new trees, islands, shrubs and lighting, as well as repaving and restriping the parking lot.

After the unanimous 4-0 vote, shopping center co-owner Cheryl Maymon of Cam Realty, who accompanied Johnson, smiled broadly from her seat.

"Now all we need is tenants," she said.

No permits had been pulled for tenancy by Friday morning, said City Building Official Ed White.

City Clerk Kathy Haley was very impressed with the center's progress.

"It looks so much better with that paint on it," she said Friday. "It looks really nice."