At the January 12th meeting, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board will vote on approving infrastructure priorities as identified by the Downtown Redevelopment Commission (DRC).
The CRA vote to fund the improvements will be taken up at the January 28th meeting.
The proposed infrastructure projects are estimated to cost a total of $1.1 million. If these projects are approved by the CRA Board, the funding will come from the Fiscal Year 2021 Master and Reserve Funds.
The bicycle and pedestrian improvements are estimated to cost a total of $472,000, and there are three different projects. The first is extending the sidewalk along the east side of MLK Jr. Blvd. between Bloxham St. and Blount St.
The second project is replacing the 68 wooden benches in the Downtown District with black, metal benches. This project aims to install longer-lasting benches that require less maintenance. The wooden swing bench on the southeast intersection of Adams St. and College Ave. will not be replaced, and this project is estimated to cost $87,000.
The third improvement project is to replace the light fixtures along the Chain of Parks on East Park Ave. between Gadsden St. and Bronough St. The lights are currently Acorn fixtures, and both the poles and the fixtures will require replacement to meet the City’s goal of moving away from the Acorn design. The project is estimated to cost $260,000.
The two potential parking enhancement projects are estimated to cost a total of $655,000. The projects are improving the Kleman Plaza parking garage and plaza and the 650 West Gaines St. parking lot. Improving Kleman Plaza and the parking garage is estimated at $185,000 and improving the Gaines St parking lot is estimated to cost $470,000.
The CRA executive director has approved $35,000 in funding to be used on four smaller infrastructure projects. The approval of these items will be reported to the CRA Board at its Jan. 28 meeting.
The first smaller infrastructure project is to add a crosswalk on Bronough St. on the north side of the intersection with Jefferson St. This is estimated to cost $10,000. The second project is to create an ADA pedestrian route map for the Downtown District, which is estimated to cost $10,000. The third project is to reset the uneven pavers at the crosswalk on the southeast corner of the intersection of Bronough St. and College Ave., and it is estimated to cost $8,000. The fourth project is to install a concrete pad with pavers on the northeast corner of Monroe St. and College Ave. This is estimated to cost $7,500.
CRA to Vote on $1.1 Million in Downtown Infrastructure Improvements added by Ana Monticelli on
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Somebody at COT has way too much time on their hands if it’s a city goal to move away from Acorn light fixtures. I bet 99% of Tallahassee residents have no idea which light fixtures are in the Chain of Parks. So sure let’s spend $260K to change light designs when tax revenues are taking a big hit because of Covid.
“The third improvement project is to replace the light fixtures along the Chain of Parks on East Park Ave. between Gadsden St. and Bronough St. The lights are currently Acorn fixtures, and both the poles and the fixtures will require replacement to meet the City’s goal of moving away from the Acorn design. The project is estimated to cost $260,000.”
Changing the “design” is a simple matter of preference, not an “improvement”… but hey, why let facts get in the way of wasting tax dollars.
“The third project is to reset the uneven pavers at the crosswalk on the southeast corner of the intersection of Bronough St. and College Ave., and it is estimated to cost $8,000.”
Resetting “uneven pavers” is a basic function of “maintenance”, not an “improvement”… but hey, I’m being redundant
I like the acorn design. I don’t know why some of these designs are going contemporary when the downtown is traditional.
Keep it classy we are tired of these Sodom and Gomorrah designs.
I don’t doubt that new benches cost that much. But it seems there are better things to spend money on than saving maintenance on park benches. Wonder if they will throw in power outlets and free WiFi for the homeless that will be sleeping on them.
Black benches. Sounds like someone will sue for the 2nd degree burns to be inflicted.
Wonder if it’s still “PC” to get those benches with those metal “arm rests” every 3 feet or so specifically designed to keep homeless people from sleeping on the benches.
It’s hard to believe our benevolent leaders who fell all over themselves to paint a BLM mural in the middle of the street would deny a homeless black man a place to sleep other than the bedbug infested Kearny Center.
@WW The estimated cost for those park benches probably include the cost of removing and disposing of the old benches, as well as the time and labor for installing the new ones. Even if city employees provide the labor they still need to charge the man hours, the hardware and vehicles to each project. Nothing is cheap anymore.
The city must be buying some mighty fine park benches at $1,300 a piece.
WOW, since these are all “ESTIMATED” Costs, I believe it is safe to say, they will be much higher………..