February 2020 "State of the Isles"

Dear Neighbors,

This month I’d like to highlight the accomplishments of the VIHA Beautification Committee.  Led by Lisa Schwartz, the Beautification Committee works hard to keep the entrances, bridges and causeways in our community looking well-maintained and beautiful.   This includes planting, watering, weeding, and mulching on a regular basis This ongoing maintenance is possible thanks to VIHA membership dues. In addition, the Committee works with the City to ensure mangroves and palms are trimmed regularly, the bricks on the causeways are repaired and grass is mowed properly.

Using the funds raised by advertising sales in the VIHA Directory, as well as matching grants from the City of St. Petersburg, the team undertakes several major projects each year.  Recent projects included: securing the upscale black street signs and posts, replacing and lighting the entrance monuments and installing lighting along Overlook Bridge highlighting the majestic royal palms. All of these initiatives give Venetian Isles the more distinctive and manicured appearance  that sets us apart from other neighborhoods. 

Among the team’s 2019 projects: replacing seven dead Foxtail Palms along Grand Canal Boulevard and repairing sprinkler heads and timers to make them more efficient.  In addition, at the request of a resident, the Committee installed plants at Grand Canal and Iowa South next to the bridge.  This parcel is owned by the City and did not have any plantings previously.  The team also added plants to vacant City property on Mermaid Point.

Please contact Lisa Schwartz at lschwartz@ourvi.org if you have suggestions for other beautification projects or if you’d like to volunteer to be on the Committee.  

Please join me in thanking  Lisa, Steve Cropper, Jan Di Biasio and Mark Brenman for everything you do to maintain the superior aesthetics of our neighborhood!
​
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

This letter also appeared in the February issue of Life on the Isle magazine.