JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A big expansion project is on its way to the Southbank.
After receiving feedback from the community back in September, the Downtown Investment Authority presented three designs that will reduce lanes but improve parking and make the area more biker-pedestrian friendly.
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The Downtown Investment Authority along with the community wrapped up phase one Wednesday night by voting on one of three designs.
The area in question is Riverplace Boulevard. Right now it’s a hotspot for accidents and it’s not exactly pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
There is already $5.1 million set aside for this project since this area is a hotspot for pedestrians being hit by cars.
Wednesday night the Downtown Investment Authority turned to the community as phase two begins.
Suzan Kramer is one of the dozens of Riverplace Boulevard residents that went to the meeting to take a look at the three designs that could soon make a safer Riverplace Boulevard.
“We're here because it's very dangerous crossing from our apartment house which is in San Marco place to go across the street to do anything,” said Suzan Kramer who lives in the area.
Design A has bike lanes on the street, areas of parallel parking and room for a sidewalk.
Design B, called the cycle track, would consolidate bike lanes to the northside by the river.
Design C is a mix of designs A and B. Bike lanes would be protected and placed behind parking spaces and sidewalks would be built for pedestrians.
“They really wanted the ability to have bike lanes, parking was huge. And parking that allows for you to engage with the retail along the Riverplace Boulevard was one of the things that were held high demand as well,” said Downtown Investment Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Audra Wallace.
By the end of the meeting, majority of the residents spoke in favor of plan C. The suggestions then will be heard by the downtown design review board for final approval.
The city will approve the plan in February or March. The Downtown Investment Authority will procure a contractor for the project in 2016 for the final design. Construction will begin in 2017. The goal is to have the project finished by end of 2018.