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May 2

Lakeland Commission OKs Florida Avenue ‘diet’ study – The Ledger

Diet Comments Off on Lakeland Commission OKs Florida Avenue ‘diet’ study – The Ledger

The City Commission unanimously requested Monday that the Florida Department of Transportation undertake a rigorous study of an ambitious plan to alter South Florida Avenue.

LAKELAND The City Commission unanimously requested Monday that the Florida Department of Transportation undertake a rigorous study of an ambitious plan to alter South Florida Avenue.

Commissioners opposed to the most controversial part of the plan, the reduction of South Florida Avenue from five lanes to three from Pine Street to Ariana Street, assured residents speaking in opposition that they were not consenting to the change, but rather to study and potentially test it.

"By approving this, we are not approving the reduction in lanes," Mayor Howard Wiggs said.

The commission requested the study be programmed into FDOT's 2018-19 budget. As part of that study, FDOT may close two of the lanes for one year to demonstrate the feasibility of the "road diet."

The intent of the lane reduction would be to expand the remaining lanes and widen the sidewalks to encourage pedestrian use of South Florida Avenue through Dixieland and downtown.

Until that test happens, the transportation issue that has sharply divided the city and its commission will likely take on a lower profile.

City staff members assured commissioners there would be another "offramp" if the solutions proposed by FDOT to make South Florida Avenue safer and more open for development are undesired.

By the time the state road agency would be seeking the commission's go-ahead to build, every commissioner but two, Jim Malless and Bill Read, will have been term-limited from the board.

Malless said he supports the plan, not only for Dixieland but to connect the area west of downtown into the district that is divided by a road some planners have called hostile to all users.

Commissioner Don Selvage agreed.

"This corridor connects with every district in the city," he said. "I make no equivocation that I support this project."

Selvage said he understood the opposition, which is worried the lane reduction would cause traffic mayhem along the major north-south thoroughfare and divert more cars into residential streets.

"Try to keep an open mind and look at these in a factual, objective manner moving forward," Selvage told opposing residents. "I think we're trying to keep an open mind and listening to both sides."

Lakeland Transportation Planner Chuck Barmby said the commission's approval will allow FDOT to perform a detailed analysis of the entire "complete street" plan for South Florida Avenue, even if the lane reduction isn't ultimately supported.

During the FDOT study, there will be multiple public workshops and forums, Barmby said.

"I'm a little hesitant but I think something needs to be done to make that area safer, spur some economic development," Commissioner Justin Troller said.

Commissioner Bill Read concurred, adding, "at this point I am opposed to the dieting of South Florida Avenue."

Christopher Guinn can be reached at Christopher.Guinn@theledger.com or 863-802-7592. Follow him on Twitter @CGuinnNews.

Read more:
Lakeland Commission OKs Florida Avenue 'diet' study - The Ledger

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