The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Appropriations
BILL: CS/CS/SB 160
INTRODUCER: Appropriations Committee (Recommended by Appropriations Subcommittee on
Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development); Transportation Committee; and
Senator Harrell
SUBJECT: Transportation-related Facility Designations
DATE: March 1, 2022 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Price Vickers TR Fav/CS
2. McAuliffe Hrdlicka ATD Recommend: Fav/CS
3. McAuliffe Sadberry AP Fav/CS
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/CS/SB 160 creates the following honorary or memorial road and bridge designations:
The portion of S.R. 715/Bacom Point Road between W. Morgan Road and S.W. 14th Street
in Palm Beach County as “Deputy Sheriff Donta Manuel and Deputy Sheriff Jonathan
Wallace Highway.”
The portion of S.R. 423/John Young Parkway between S.R. 408 and Orange Center
Boulevard in Orange County as “Rep. Alzo Reddick Road.”
Bridge number 100850 on S.R. 60/Courtney Campbell Causeway over Old Tampa Bay in
Hillsborough County as “Virginia Creighton Bridge.”
The intersection of S.W. 23rd Avenue and S.W. 8th Street in Miami-Dade County as “Arturo
Diaz Artiles Plaza.”
The portion of W. Columbus Drive between N. Himes Avenue and N. MacDill Avenue in
Hillsborough County as “Maximino Capdevila and Coralia Capdevila Road.”
The portion of S.R. 19 between C.R. 48 and Lane Park Cutoff Road in Lake County as
“Sergeant First Class Michael C. Aten Memorial Highway.”
Bridge number 720684 on I-95 over the Trout River in Jacksonville/Duval County as
“Warren Alvarez Memorial Bridge.”
The portion of U.S. 27/S.R. 25 between the Polk County line and the Glades County line in
Highlands County as “Deputy William Gentry, Jr., Highway.”
BILL: CS/CS/SB 160 Page 2
The portion of S.R. 100 in Clay County between the Bradford County line and the Putnam
County line as “Veterans Honor Highway.”
Upon completion of construction, the interchange at First Coast Expressway/S.R. 23 and
Henley Road in Clay County as “Sergeant Eric John Twisdale Memorial Interchange.”
The portion of S.R. A1A between the northern terminus and southern terminus of Galt Ocean
Drive in Broward County as “Pio Ieraci Memorial Drive.”
The portion of S.R. 520/W. King Street between S.R. 501/Clearlake Road and S.R. 519/Fiske
Boulevard in Brevard County as “Sgt. George Lee Taylor, Sr., Memorial Highway.”
The portion of S.R. 519/Fiske Boulevard between Rosa L. Jones Drive and I-95 in Brevard
County as “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard.”
The portion of U.S. 90 between Canal Street and Stewart Street in Santa Rosa County as
“Reverend Murray Hamilton, Sr., Highway.”
The portion of S.R. 87 between E. Bay Boulevard and U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa County as “Ira
Mae Wells-Bruce Memorial Highway.”
The portion of Bayfront Parkway between Tarragona Street and N. 17th Avenue in Escambia
County as “Pensacola Police Fallen Heroes Highway.”
The Cow Key Channel Bridge, bridge numbers 900086 and 900125, between milepost 4.100
and milepost 4.169 on Overseas Highway in Monroe County as “Cheryl H. Cates Memorial
Bridge.”
The portion of S.R. 953/NW 42nd Avenue/Le Jeune Road from N.W. 11th Street to N.W.
14th Street in Miami-Dade County as “Oswaldo Payá Way.”
The bill directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to erect suitable markers.
The estimated cost to the FDOT to install the designation markers required under the bill is
$18,720. See the “Fiscal Impact Statement” below for details.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Section 334.071, F.S., provides that legislative designations of transportation facilities are for
honorary or memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular facility. Such designations are not to
be construed as requiring any action by local governments or private parties regarding the
changing of any street signs, mailing addresses, or 911 emergency telephone number system
listings, unless the legislation specifically provides for such changes.1
When the Legislature establishes road or bridge designations, the FDOT is required to place
markers only at the termini specified for each highway segment or bridge designated by the law
creating the designation and to erect any other markers it deems appropriate for the
transportation facility.2
The FDOT may not erect the markers for honorary road or bridge designations unless the
affected city or county commission enacts a resolution supporting the designation. When the
1
Section 334.071(1), F.S.
2
Section 334.071(2), F.S.
BILL: CS/CS/SB 160 Page 3
designated road or bridge segment is located in more than one city or county, each affected local
government must pass resolutions supporting the designations before the installation of the
markers.3
Deputy Sheriffs Donta Manuel and Jonathan Wallace
On November 28, 2007, as other deputies pursued a stolen vehicle that had just passed over “stop
sticks” in the roadway on State Road 715 near Lake Okeechobee, Deputies Manuel and Wallace
ran into the roadway in an attempt to remove the stop sticks. Apparently, due to the darkness,
Deputies Manuel and Wallace did not perceive the speed at which the pursuing patrol cars were
following behind the suspect vehicle. One of the pursuing patrol cars struck and killed both
deputies. The driver of that pursuing patrol car was seriously injured and flown to a local
hospital. One of the suspects in the stolen vehicle was apprehended a short time later.4
Deputy Manuel served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBCSO) for 13 years. He
was survived by his wife, Suzette Manuel, sons Donta and Diontray Manuel, and daughter
Dashja Trawick. Deputy Wallace served with the PBSCO for 18 months. He was survived by his
mother, Patricia Wallace.5
Representative Alzo Reddick
Dr. Alzo J. Reddick, Sr., was born in Alturas, Florida, on November 15, 1937. He graduated
from Jones High School in 1956. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Paul Quinn
University in 1960, he served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964 and returned home to teach at
Phyllis Wheatley and Winter Park High Schools. Dr. Reddick earned a Master of Education
degree from FAMU in 1971 and a Doctorate of Education from Nova University in 1977.6
Dr. Reddick was the first black man from Orlando to be elected to the state legislature since the
Reconstruction Era and to sponsor legislation that became law. Known for his community
service and a lifetime of accomplishments in education and politics, Dr. Reddick served in the
Florida House of Representatives from 1982 to 2000.7
Virginia Creighton
Virginia Creighton worked in the field of wetland science and regulation for almost three
decades, with a combination of government policy, regulatory, and environmental consulting
experience. Ms. Creighton was a certified Professional Wetland Scientist and specialized in
3
Section 334.071(3), F.S.
4
See the SunSentinel, Stop Sticks help put the brakes on escaping criminals, May 25, 2013, available at http://www.sun-
sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2013-05-25-fl-stop-stick-20130525-story.html and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office,
Fallen Heroes, available at https://www.pbso.org/inside-pbso/general/fallen-heroes/ (last visited January 30, 2022).
5
Id.
6
See Community Steeple, Community Builder – Dr. Alzo J. Reddick, Sr., August 9, 2015available at
https://www.communitysteeple.com/lifestyles-people/692-community-builder-dr-alzo-j-reddick-sr.html and the Orlando
Sentinel, Former state Rep. Alzo Reddick honored for historic career in education, politics, July 8, 2021, available at
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ne-alzo-reddick-honored-20210708-f3hzsk7hmzabhfud34ummgrcfm-story.html
(last visited January 30, 2022).
7
Id.
BILL: CS/CS/SB 160 Page 4
formal jurisdictional determinations and wetland qualitative analyses. She acted as an
environmental project manager on multiple FDOT and local-level projects, as well as for private
developments, including small and large-scale developments of regional impact. She was
directly involved in obtaining environmental resource permits for over fifty transportation
projects. Ms. Creighton was essential to development of the Courtney Campbell Causeway – Old
Tampa Bay Water Quality Improvement project, and she received an award for the Best Project
in Florida from the FDOT in 2018. Ms. Creighton passed away on May 29, 2020, survived by
her husband and two sons.8
Arturo Diaz Artiles
Arturo Diaz Artiles was a Cuban exile, born in Santa Clara Cuba in 1920 and immigrating to the
City of Miami in 1962. In 1965, he opened the Santa Clara Pharmacy at the corner of Southwest
23rd Avenue and Southwest 8th Street in Miami, only the second Cuban-owned pharmacy in the
city at the time. Mr. Artiles’ pharmacy filled prescriptions, but it served as an important
community gathering location for Cuban exiles, especially the elderly. Mr. Artiles operated the
pharmacy for nearly 50 years until 2004. During that time, he also received the United Way of
Miami-Dade County Gold award for 30 years of service to his community, the Latin Real Estate
Organization Board of Directors Award, and the City of Miami’s Certification of Appreciation.
A founding member of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Miami-Dade County Commission
issued a proclamation declaring February 25 as Arturo “Arturito” Diaz Artiles Day and presented
him with a key to the county. Mr. Artiles passed away on November 11, 2013. He was survived
by his three children, Arturo Diaz, Jr., Ana Cepero, and Aixa Schulte.9
Maximino Capdevila and Coralia Capdevila Road
In 1962, the Capdevila family emigrated from Cuba on Freedom Flights to Miami, settling in
Tampa with their four boys. Mr. and Mrs. Capdevila opened their first business, La Teresita
Grocery, in 1972, eventually expanding their efforts and finding success. Ultimately, in 1993, the
Capdevilas opened a 14,000 square foot, two story building, La Teresita, housing a sit-down
restaurant, a cafeteria, and a banquet hall. La Teresita continues in operation today, known for its
service to the community and to people and cultures from all walks of life. Mr. Capdevila passed
away on December 26, 2010, at the age of 82, survived by his wife, Coralia, two sons,
grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family and friends.10
Sergeant First Class Michael C. Aten Memorial Highway
Born and raised in Eustis, Florida, and a graduate of Mount Dora High School, Sergeant First
Class Michael C. “Soldier Mike” Aten served in the U.S. Army, became an Army Ranger, and
served his county for 26 years. During his service, Sergeant Aten earned numerous military
8
See email to Senate Transportation Committee staff, December 7, 2020 (on file in the Senate Transportation Committee).
See also Legacy, Virginia A. “Ginger” (Sinn) Creighton, available at
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/staugustine/name/virginia-creighton-obituary?pid=196324025 (last visited
January 30, 2021).
9
See the City of Miami Resolution R-21-0059, February 11, 2021 (on file in the Senate Transportation Committee), See also
letter from the children of Arturo Diaz Artiles, January 20, 2021 (on file in the Senate Transportation Committee).
10
See Legacy.com, Maximino Capdevila, available at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tbo/obituary.aspx?pid=147472539
and LaTeresita, Our Story, available at https://www.lateresitarestaurant.com/the-story (last visited January 30, 2022).
BILL: CS/CS/SB 160 Page 5
awards, among them, the Bronze Star while serving in Iraq; the Army Commendation Medal
with Combat “V,” denoting battlefield valor; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and the
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was active in community service and had a love for
motorcycle riding. Sergeant Aten lost his life in a motorcycle accident on January 3, 2020, at the
age of 54, and was survived by his wife, Diana, his parents, his step-father, and his extended
family and friends.11
Warren Alvarez
Former two-term Jacksonville City Council member Warren Alvarez was a native and lifelong
resident of Jacksonville’s Northside and lived all of his life on his family’s dairy farm. He was
active in agricultural and civic organizations and activities, serving on many boards,
commissions, and organization at the county and state levels. Known for his advocacy for his
constituents, Mr. Alvarez worked successfully to have Interstate 95 widened as it crosses the
Trout River Bridge. Among many other community contributions, he was a founding member of
EDEN (Economic Development and Enhancement of North Jacksonville), a member of the
Northside Business Leaders Club, and a board member of the Jacksonville Zoo, the Jacksonville
Fair Association, Methodist Hospice, the Duval County Cattlemen’s Association, and Upper
Florida Milk Producers. Mr. Alvarez passed away on March 6, 2021, at the age of 86. He was
survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary; two daughters, two grandsons, a great granddaughter,
three brothers, and a number of extended family and friends.12
Deputy William Gentry, Jr.
Deputy Gentry grew up in Fort Myers, joining the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in
March of 2005 and joined the K-9 Unit as soon as he could. For four years, he and his K-9
partner, Roni, patrolled the county. When Roni retired from service in 2012, Deputy Gentry
transferred back to road patrol and then to the Special Investigations Unit, targeting illegal drugs
until 2013. After a brief period of time using his talents as an artist and woodworker to make
custom pool cues, Deputy Gentry returned to the HCSO in 2017, becoming a field training
deputy and mentoring young deputies beginning their law enforcement careers. Responding to an
animal abuse call with a trainee, Deputy Gentry was shot by a 69 year-old suspect and
succumbed to his wounds on May 7, 2018. He was survived by his parents, his younger brother,
and his beloved dogs.13
11
See the Daily Commercial, Taps for Sgt. 1st Class “Soldier Mike” Aten, January 11, 2020, available at
https://www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/local/2020/01/11/taps-for-sgt-lst-class-soldier-mike-aten/1918137007/;
Minutes of the December 8, 2020, Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, at “Tab 3:
PROCLAMATION 2020-215,” available at https://www.lakecountyclerk.org/forms/board_minutes/2020/12/2020-12-
08_Regular_Meeting.htm; and Echovita, Michael C. Aten Obituary, available at
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/fl/umatilla/michael-c-aten-10215591 (last visited January 30, 2022).
12
See Jacksonville City Council Resolution 2021-267-A, April 28, 2021 (on file in the Senate Transportation Committee) and
Legacy.com, Warren Alvarez, available at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion/name/warren-alvarez-
obituary?id=6685153 (last visited January 30, 2022).
13
See Officer Down Memorial Page, Deputy Sheriff William Jackson Gentry, Jr., available at
https://www.odmp.org/officer/23672-deputy-sheriff-william-jackson-gentry-jr and Legacy.com, William J Gentry, Jr.,
available at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/william-gentry-jr-obituary?pid=188976004 (last visited
January 30, 2022).
BILL: CS/CS/SB 160 Page 6
Florida’s Veterans
The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs notes that:
Florida has earned a reputation as the most veteran-friendly state in the
nation. Our state’s veterans bring more than $18.4 billion federal dollars
annually into Florida’s economy.
Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation after California
and Texas with more than 1.5 million veterans – 12 percent of the Sunshine