STORAGE NAME: h0177c.COM
DATE: 4/17/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 177
TITLE: Transportation Facility Designations
SPONSOR(S): Harris, Woodson
COMPANION BILL: SB 1408 (Collins)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Economic Infrastructure
17 Y, 0 N, As CS
Commerce
25 Y, 0 N, As CS
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill designates transportation facilities for memorial purposes and directs the Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) to erect suitable markers for each designation.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill will have an insignificant negative impact on state government expenditures.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill requires FDOT to erect suitable markers for the following transportation facility designations: (Section 1).
Harris Rosen Way
That portion of International Drive between S.R. 528 and Sand Lake Road in Orange County is designated as
"Harris Rosen Way."
Bernard Wilkes Ribault River Bridge
The bridge on Moncrief Road West over the Ribault River in Duval County will be designated as "Bernard Wilkes
Ribault River Bridge."
Geraldine Thompson Way
That portion of W. South Street between South Division Avenue and U.S. 441 in Orange County is designated as
“Geraldine Thompson Way.”
Harry Frisch Street
West Beaver Street/S.R. 10 between King Street and Acorn Street in Duval County is designated as “Harry Frisch
Street.”
Jose Wejebe Way
Bridge number 900117 on U.S. 1/S.R. 5 over Niles Channel in Monroe County is designated as “Jose Wejebe
Bridge.”
Celia Cruz Way
That portion of S.R. 932/N.W. 103rd Street/West 49th Street within the City of Hialeah in Miami-Dade County is
designated as “Celia Cruz Way.”
Toussaint L’Ouverture Boulevard JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
That portion of S.R. 915/N.E. 6th Avenue between S.R. 860 and S.R. 826 in Miami-Dade County is designated as
“Toussaint L’Ouverture Boulevard.”
Sonia Castro Way
That portion of S.W. 58th Street between S.R. 985/S.W. 107th Avenue and S.W. 102nd Avenue in Miami-Dade
County is designated as “Sonia Castro Way.”
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2025. (Section 2).
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill will have an insignificant negative impact on state government expenditures. FDOT estimates a cost of
$2,400 per designation for the appropriate markers, which provides for two signs per designation at $1,200 per
sign.
1 Therefore, the bill has an estimated negative fiscal impact of $19,200 to the State Transportation Trust Fund.
This cost can be absorbed within existing FDOT resources.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Legislative Designation of Transportation Facilities
The Legislature may designate a transportation facility, such as a bridge or a portion of a road, for honorary or
memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular facility. Legislative designations do not officially change the
existing names of facilities and may not require local governments or private parties to change street signs, mailing
addresses, or 911 emergency telephone number system listing.
2
Unless specifically provided by law, public facilities such as roads, bridges, and other similar facilities may not be
named for any living person.
3
Transportation Facility Markers
Following a legislative designation, FDOT is required to place markers at the termini or intersections specified for
each highway segment or bridge designated and may place other markers it deems as appropriate.
4 Before
markers may be erected, the appropriate city or county commission must pass a resolution in support of the
particular honorary designation. If the designated bridge or road segment is located in more than one city or
county, there must be resolutions supporting the designation from each affected local government before markers
may be erected.
5
Biographical Information
Harris Rosen Way
Harris Rosen was President and Chief Operating Officer of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality company founded
in 1974 that operates seven Orlando-area hotels. Mr. Rosen received numerous philanthropic and humanitarian
awards, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals lifetime award, as well as the Leadership Florida’s
LeRoy Collins Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Rosen passed away on November 25, 2024, at age 85.
1
Email from Jack Rogers, Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Transportation, RE: Road Designations Review (Feb.
13, 2025).
2
S. 334.071(1), F.S.
3
S. 267.062(1), F.S.
4
S. 334.071(2), F.S.
5
S. 334.071(3), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
Bernard Wilkes Ribault River Bridge
Coach Bernard Wilkes was recognized as one of the most successful high school coaches in Florida's history. He
dedicated 30 years of service to the Duval County Public School System, teaching and coaching basketball at
Ribault Senior High School. Throughout his career, Coach Wilkes led the basketball team to four state
championships, 12 Gateway Conference championships, 21 district titles, and reached the Florida High School
Athletic Association Finals 16 times. Coach Wilkes passed away on March 5, 2006.
Geraldine Thompson Way
Senator Geraldine Thompson had served in the Florida Legislature since 2006, becoming the first African American
woman to represent Orlando in the state legislature. Senator Thompson served in the Florida House from 2006 to
2012 and again from 2018 to 2022. Her most recent time in the Florida Senate began in 2022, following a previous
tenure from 2012 to 2016. A respected historian and scholar of Black history, Senator Thompson led the campaign
to preserve the Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture.
6 The museum is located along the
designated road.
Harry Frisch Street
Harry Frisch was the Chairman of Beaver Street Fisheries and a prominent businessman from Jacksonville.
Beginning in the 1950s, Mr. Frisch and his family grew what started as a small retail store into one of the largest
seafood processors and distributors in the United States. Throughout his lifetime, he received many awards,
including induction into the First Coast Business Hall of Fame by the Florida Council on Economic Education and
the Humanitarian Award, Silver Medallion from OneJax.
7
Jose Wejebe Way
Jose Wejebe was the host of the popular TV fishing show, “The Spanish Fly,” which highlighted the fishing and
coastal areas of south Florida and the Florida Keys. Mr. Wejebe was involved in the community through charity
organizations, including the Make a Wish Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Red Bone Catch a Cure for
Cystic Fibrosis. After his passing in 2012, The Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation was formed to continue Mr.
Wejebe’s conservation, education, and fishing advocacy.
8 Mr. Wejebe owned a home near the designated bridge.
Celia Cruz Way
Celia Cruz was an internationally acclaimed singer and performer whose career spanned from the 1940s to the
early 21st century. Known as the “Queen of Salsa,” Ms. Cruz was instrumental in the creation and popularization of
salsa and pan-Hispanic music. After the Cuban Revolution, she left her native country and became a symbol and
spokesperson for the Cuban exile community. Ms. Cruz passed in 2003, and in recognition of her contributions, the
U.S. Congress awarded her a Congressional Gold Medal in 2005.
9
Toussaint L’Ouverture Boulevard
Toussaint L’Ouverture was a Haitian general and leader of the Haitian Revolution. Throughout his years in power,
L’Ouverture worked to improve the economy and security of Saint-Domingue. He restored the plantation system
using paid labor, negotiated trade treaties with Britain and the United States, and maintained a large army. He was
promoted to Saint-Domingue’s highest-ranking officer in 1797.
10
Sonia Castro Way
6
Email from Jeff Takacs, Clerk of the House, Florida House of Representatives, Passing of Former House Member and Current
Sitting Senator, Feb. 14, 2025.
7
Jacksonville Daily Record, Harry Frisch, Beaver Street Fisheries chairman, dies at age 99,
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2023/jan/13/harry-frisch-beaver-street-fisheries-chairman-dies-at-age-99/ (last
visited Apr. 16, 2025).
8
Coastal Angler Magazine, Remembering Jose Wejebe, https://coastalanglermag.com/remembering-jose-wejebe/ (last visited
Apr. 16, 2025).
9
National Women’s History Museum, Celia Cruz, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/celia-
cruz (last visited Apr. 16, 2025).
10
National Museum of African American History & Culture, Toussaint Louverture, https://nmaahc.si.edu/latinx/toussaint-
louverture (last visited Apr. 16, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
Sonia Castro’s political career began in 2003 when she served as campaign manager for her brother’s campaign for
Miami-Dade County Mayor. Her efforts led to his victory in 2004 and re-election in 2008. She also managed Senator
Alex Villalobos’ successful state senate campaign and Judge Stephan Millan’s judicial campaign. In 2018, she led
governmental affairs for the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, where she interviewed candidates for
endorsements and worked election polls. In 2022, she served as Director of Constituent Services for the Miami-
Dade County Commissioner.
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Economic Infrastructure
Subcommittee
17 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/19/2025 Keating Garcia
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE:
Added a designation for the bridge on Moncrief Road West over the
Ribault River in Duval County as the “Bernard Wilkes Ribault River
Bridge.”
Commerce Committee 25 Y, 0 N, As CS 4/15/2025 Hamon Garcia
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE:
Added six transportation facility designations.
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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