Title
Coordination of Streetscape Items in Community Redevelopment Areas (NB)
Explanation
The CRA has approved funding to implement various interim improvements to University Avenue in the Downtown, College Park/University Heights, and Eastside Community Redevelopment Areas. In 2003, the CRA developed a set of streetscape design and technical standards to specify types of equipment and materials to be constructed, such as pavers, benches, waste receptacles, and other hardscape items.
While CRA staff was recently engaging with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on permitting Phase One of these improvements, it came to light that FDOT had permitted a project sponsored by Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) to install cigarette waste containers along West University Avenue near NW 16th Street. The cigarette waste containers are not part of the CRA design and technical standards, which the CRA expected would be the template for streetscape enhancements along University Avenue. CRA staff contacted KACB and learned that a pilot project would be initiated in October. Following discussion with CRA staff, KACB decided to postpone this program, and indicated their willingness to comply with CRA standards. There currently is not a standard for cigarette waste containers, but the CRA can have staff review this issue and incorporate a standard container.
This issue exposes the possibility that the FDOT permitting process for improvements to University Avenue does not foster a coordinated scheme for improving the corridor. While the CRA has a set of product specifications coordinated to create a unified appearance, there is no procedure in place to ensure coordination between projects proposed by the CRA and other agencies. Since the CRA has taken the lead on improving the University Avenue corridor within the CRA boundaries, the FDOT should take steps to ensure that other agency projects within this segment of University Avenue coordinate with ...
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