Second Planned Sign Will Have A Different Design

Tavares, FL has done a lot to solidify its claim to being "America's Seaplane City", and now drivers approaching the town from the northeast on Highway 441 will see a sign claiming that designation.

The first Seaplane City sign was placed along the highway last week on property owned by Florida Hospital Waterman. An oversized propeller adorns the top of the sign which proclaims Tavares as "America's Seaplane City". The sign cost the city $51,785, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel.

A second sign is planned for the Chris Daniels Fountain Park, and is expected to cost a bit less but still north of $30,000, according to the report. Plans for that second sign must be approved by the state Department of Transportation. It reportedly will feature a seaplane on the top rather than a propeller. City manager John Drury said that it may be six months before that sign is installed.

Tavares has aggressively courted seaplane businesses to establish or relocate to the city, which is between Lake Eustis and Lake Dora in central Florida. In June of last year, the city approved a waiver of impact fees charged to seaplane businesses that wished to set up shop in Tavares.

According to city statistics, about 2,000 seaplanes visit Tavares in an average year, and Progressive Aerodyne builds Searey amphibious airplanes in the city.

FMI: www.tavares.org