West Kendall town meeting addresses improving lighting along some streets – West Kendall – MiamiHerald.com

District 11 Commissioner Juan Carlos Zapata wants to bring lighting to improve safety in the area between 147th and 157th Avenues and from 64th to 80th streets.

The commissioner held a town meeting at the Kendale Lakes Branch Library on Wednesday where he discussed the upcoming lighting project at Olympic Park, 8601 SW 152nd Ave., and where residents weighed in on another possible lighting project in the area.

A map with three color-coded options was handed out to all the residents. The options for lighting were 152nd Avenue from Southwest 88th Street to Southwest 64th Street, 80th Street from Southwest 157th Avenue to Southwest 147th Avenue, and Southwest 154th Avenue from Southwest 80th Street to Southwest 88th Street.

Residents attending the meeting expressed their concern about the park being too dark and of not being able to use the park after sunset because of “unwanted elements,” such as people smoking marijuana.

The Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department explained how the lighting of the park would be structured, reassuring residents that the park will be lit once the project ends.