The City of Tallahassee is working to develop a new roadway and associated amenities designed to enhance the southern part of the community. The project involves extending FAMU Way between Lake Bradford Road and South Monroe Street. The current concept is for a two-lane road that would include a bicycle / pedestrian path, sidewalks, on-street parking and other amenities such as a linear park, stormwater runoff controls and coordination with the Blueprint 2000 Capital Cascades Trail network.
As part of the ongoing effort to involve the community in the project, the city is hosting the FAMU Way Community Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Walker-Ford and Smith-Williams Community Centers.
The overall goal of the project is to make the proposed FAMU Way extension one of the most attractive roads in Tallahassee and a benefit for the surrounding community. Staff anticipates taking route and conceptual design recommendations to the City Commission in February.
The Community Breakfast is open to the public and free of charge. It includes eggs, grits, sausage and a biscuit. This will be a family-friendly event with children's activities such as a bounce house.
The purpose of the breakfast is to get information into the hands of people in the community and garner feedback on the potential road project. Information booths will be set up to provide project details, including route alternatives, improvements that could be included and street design options, among other things.
In summer 2008, the City of Tallahassee engaged the community in a dialogue about the potential for extending FAMU Way. Staff presented five route alternatives it saw as potential paths. Based upon the feedback received through that outreach, staff was able to focus in on what it saw as the alternative that would best meet the needs of the community.
Currently, the proposed route runs directly south of the St. Augustine Branch, the small waterway that runs within the canal just north of the existing portion of FAMU Way, south of Railroad Square and along the north edge of the neighborhood. The proposed route connects on the west to Lake Bradford Road (at approximately the intersection of Lake Bradford Road and Jackson Bluff Road) and ties into the eastern end of the current FAMU Way, which extends on to South Adams Street.
The actual design of the road would take 18 months and cannot begin until such time as the City Commission selects a route and approves the project concept. The alternative routes being shared with the community now represent the various swaths of land, any of which, could potentially house the road.
The cost for the entire project is estimated at $50 million. Staff will be recommending that the project be done in phases. Funding is currently available for the section from Lake Bradford Road to the eastern edge of the FAMU Campus (approximately Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.), which would reduce the cost to approximately $25 million.
As part of the ongoing effort to involve the community in the project, the city is hosting the FAMU Way Community Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Walker-Ford and Smith-Williams Community Centers.
The overall goal of the project is to make the proposed FAMU Way extension one of the most attractive roads in Tallahassee and a benefit for the surrounding community. Staff anticipates taking route and conceptual design recommendations to the City Commission in February.
The Community Breakfast is open to the public and free of charge. It includes eggs, grits, sausage and a biscuit. This will be a family-friendly event with children's activities such as a bounce house.
The purpose of the breakfast is to get information into the hands of people in the community and garner feedback on the potential road project. Information booths will be set up to provide project details, including route alternatives, improvements that could be included and street design options, among other things.
In summer 2008, the City of Tallahassee engaged the community in a dialogue about the potential for extending FAMU Way. Staff presented five route alternatives it saw as potential paths. Based upon the feedback received through that outreach, staff was able to focus in on what it saw as the alternative that would best meet the needs of the community.
Currently, the proposed route runs directly south of the St. Augustine Branch, the small waterway that runs within the canal just north of the existing portion of FAMU Way, south of Railroad Square and along the north edge of the neighborhood. The proposed route connects on the west to Lake Bradford Road (at approximately the intersection of Lake Bradford Road and Jackson Bluff Road) and ties into the eastern end of the current FAMU Way, which extends on to South Adams Street.
The actual design of the road would take 18 months and cannot begin until such time as the City Commission selects a route and approves the project concept. The alternative routes being shared with the community now represent the various swaths of land, any of which, could potentially house the road.
The cost for the entire project is estimated at $50 million. Staff will be recommending that the project be done in phases. Funding is currently available for the section from Lake Bradford Road to the eastern edge of the FAMU Campus (approximately Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.), which would reduce the cost to approximately $25 million.
I was at the last meeting the community did not want this to happen...the question was why not do this on FSU side of the tracks and the city couldn;t give an answer. They are trying to feed us to make us want accpect their plan...how sallow do they think we are...We need to show up and tell them we dont want this to happen.
ReplyDeleteExactly! They let FSU completely close Woodward Street and shut off Pensacola Street with their stadium/practice fields, and baseball stadium which through all the traffic on to Gaines Street.
ReplyDeleteWhere is FAMU Way? This project may create more traffic congestion and provide a thugs an ease of entry and quick exit from our campus. I do not live in Tallahassee, but can someone please give me an idea of this exact location?
ReplyDeleteConnecting Jackson Bluff Road to FAMU Way makes no sense. Has Lake Bradford/Springhill and Orange Avenue, the city's gateway even been considered. This stinks and it should not be executed. How sustainable is this project? What they need to do is get real about the Gaines street proposals and stop being exclusive about who gets to have input. Things like this, make people wonder how serious the city and its citizens are about moving into the 21st century. What do we have to gain with this for any million$?
ReplyDeleteFAMU Way is the street that connects South Monroe with Wahnish Way. It runs down behind the old DRS building and New Beginnings Day Care Center.
ReplyDeleteWe're running another story on this issue first thing tomorrow.
I don't have a direct dog in this fight, but for those who do, please be careful of what is presented. Please ask the hard questions, and demand hard, firm responses. Nothing about...that's taken care of, or we'll get back to you.
ReplyDeleteThe pretty part is always shown, but the ugly part is for someone else to clean up. Also, ask about stormwater runoff/rentention/drainage in the impacted area too (as well as the long-term maintenance for these facilities). What about the increase in AADT (annual average daily traffic) for a two-lane road. Ask about current AADT estimates, and future estimates in 5, 10 and 20 years from now. You really think they would come back and upgrade the road right away if the traffic goes haywire? What kind of bicycle traffic to they expect in the area (since bike lanes are denoted). If the traffic is to be increased in the area, are they looking at traffic calming, and what kind of traffic control devices are expected along the corridor? What kind of land purchases are they looking at for rights-of-way? Don't think someone is out to get a profit out there too.
I am not sure about the alignment out there, but I know there is a railroad line out there for freight and Amtrak. If this crosses the tracks, will the crossing be an active crossing or grade separated (i.e., overpass)? If this goes over the tracks, has the railroad track owner agreed to the potential alignment?
Just my thoughts, for what's it worth.
Signed,
A Proud FAMU Engineering Grad!