Back in 2004, City Commissioner Andrew Gillum (a FAMU alumnus) and Assistant City Manager Michael Wright promised FAMU’s Board of Trustees the proposed FAMU Way extension won’t be designed as a cut-through to relieve other areas of traffic.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.
According to Wright “there is no intention to [make] this into a four-lane road or thru-way.” He emphasized that “the road is not intended to be a cut-through street.”
Gillum added that “the road would never become more than two lanes. He noted that the University may include language that suggests expansion of the two lanes not be permissible without FAMU’s approval.”
Trustees also inquired about providing additional transportation for students along the road and creating a slow done zone in the vicinity of the New Beginnings Daycare Center. That day, the BOT approved the FAMU Way extension concept.
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 cost for the entire project is estimated at $50 million. City staffers 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.
To read the minutes of the April 13, 2004 BOT discussion on this project, click here.
Ok well what is it?
ReplyDeleteUnless the city provides 24 hour security at that proposed park, it will turn into a crack, thug hangout. The park proposal sounds good and the brand new park will look real pretty, but give it a few months and it will be litterd with trash and bad looking people. Some of OUR people will DESTROY it. And you know I'm telling the truth.
ReplyDeleteJust my thought, but as far as security is concerned, it would have to be a City issue, since the road will be maintained by the city. Remember, if FAMU property lines both sides of the road, it's a FAMU thing (for the most part). If FAMU is only on one side, then it's a city (or possibly county) thing. But is something happens on or near FAMU Way, guess who the press, etc. will tag it off to?
ReplyDelete