Beautification plan proposed for U.S. 41

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – A local group wants to make the drive along a very popular road more beautiful.

Some store owners along U.S. 41 think improvements would help business, but others think improvements would cost too much money.

People who frequently use U.S. 41 say, there’s a noticeable difference when driving from Punta Gorda to Port Charlotte.

“It changes dramatically from the bridge into Murdock,” said Robert Amick, who manages a business along U.S. 41. “It kind of goes down low, this is the older part of town.”

The Port Charlotte Beautification Task Force wants to improve the landscape. The idea behind the improvement is to benefit business owners. Members believe if Port Charlotte is more appealing to the eye, it will attract more shoppers and more businesses.

“I think it’s awesome, I think it would bring a lot more people to the area maybe a lot nicer to look at,” said Amick.

But other businesses don’t want to foot the bill that comes along with the improvements.

“There’s maintenance involved and every time you add something to the landscape, it’s just more maintenance digging into the tax dollar, and we’re taxed to death as it is,” said business owner Charles Lancefield.

So far, Charlotte County have made some steps toward streetscape improvements. Grass along major roads are now mowed at least twice a month instead of once.