City of Tallahassee officials are urging residents to stay involved in plans to redesign Southside streets. Local government agencies are studying possible improvements for Orange Avenue, Lake Bradford and Springhill Roads, and they want residents to know the plans are still in the conceptual stages.
The Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency coordinates state and local transit redevelopment in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla and Jefferson Counties. The CRTPA's Southwest Area Transportation project could involve adding lanes, sidewalks, landscaping and medians.
Some neighborhood residents are concerned the plan could also include a brand new street proposed by Florida State University. The Blueprint 2000 intergovernmental agency has endorsed FSU's plan, which would involve building a road on university land. The street would connect Orange Avenue to Stuckey Avenue, which intersects with Lake Bradford Road, which will ultimately connect to the extended FAMU Way.
But City Commissioner Curtis Richardson says nothing is finalized yet, and the CRTPA may not include FSU's proposal in its plans.
“There’s still lots of studying that’s going to have to be done, the technical studies that go along with this. As well as taking the input, seriously, taking input of those who live in the area,” Richardson said. “This is just the beginning stages and no final decisions have been made at this point. But what we’re considering, as I’ve said, is in the best interest, not only of the southwestern part of the city and county, but our community as a whole.”
What ends up in the finalized plan will depend on traffic studies and public input. Richardson hopes residents will attend community meetings on the project that are scheduled over the next few months.
