ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: Teniade Broughton, Chairperson
SUBJECT:
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ACCEPTANCE OF RECOMMENDED JACKSON STREET TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That the CRA authorize the CRA Chairperson to issue a letter of concurrence to Escambia County accepting the recommended plans for improvement of Jackson Street within the City limits.
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SUMMARY:
The City of Pensacola’s adopted Westside Community Redevelopment Plan identifies Jackson Street as a principal corridor for transportation improvements. To facilitate improvements to this corridor, the CRA approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Escambia County on June 14, 2021 for development of a transportation master plan for improvements to Jackson Street from Fairfield Drive to A Street. In accordance with the MOU, Escambia County and the CRA jointly selected WSP USA, Inc. to develop the master plan in accordance with the County’s Request for Qualifications solicitation PD 20-21.051.
The goal of the plan is to develop an implementable master plan for the corridor, ensure all voices are heard during the corridor planning process, and develop an inclusive vision based on community inputs. The proposed improvements will complement the existing communities and address safety, mobility, and sustainable long-term economic development along the corridor.
Jackson Street is a unique and historic street that traverses a diverse and predominantly residential community. The street connects downtown Pensacola and the western portion of Escambia County. The City of Pensacola is growing, and more families are choosing to live along Jackson Street. This growth, combined with a lack of adequate sidewalks and crosswalks and other road infrastructure, makes safety a major concern for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
The study area encompasses W Jackson Street from N A Street to W Fairfield Drive and a 0.25-mile buffer. W Jackson Street is a local collector roadway extending approximately 6.2 miles from A Street to T Street (2 miles) in the City of Pensacola and T Street to W Fairfield Drive (4.2 miles) in Escambia County.
The study area was divided into three segments.
• Segment 1 is on the eastern side of the study area, from N A Street to N T Street, entirely within the City of Pensacola.
• Segment 2 is at the center of the study area, from N T Street to N 57th Avenue, entire within Escambia County.
• Segment 3 is on the western side of the study area, from N 57th Avenue to W Fairfield Drive, entirely within Escambia County.
The project team conducted a robust public outreach and engagement effort to inform the community of the project, solicit input and gather feedback on community preferences. Activities included walk audits with City, County, and CRA staff, community engagement through in-person, virtual workshops, pop-up events within the community, and a digital survey with 300 responses. Appreciated community assets are:
• Historic homes and neighborhood
• Large tree canopy
• Diverse community
The plan includes infrastructure recommendations to support community priorities for:
• Safe, Accessible Mobility Opportunities
• Celebrate, Preserve Community Identity
• Increase Access to Parks and Open Spaces
Pursuant to the MOU, the CRA must issue a letter of concurrence to Escambia County accepting the recommended plans. The design consultant will provide a presentation on its recommendations. A copy of the recommended plans (executive summary) is attached. The plans along with additional appendix containing a wide variety of data and analysis performed by the consultant is available on the City website: <https://www.cityofpensacola.com/3472/Reimagine-Jackson-Street> . This document could not be attached to the item due to file size.
PRIOR ACTION:
June 14, 2021 - The CRA approved an MOU with Escambia County for development of a phased transportation mast plan for improvements to Jackson Street from Fairfield Drive to A Street.
November 15, 2021 - The CRA accepted Escambia County’s selection of consulting firm WSP USA, Inc. for development of the Jackson Street Transportation Master Plan
FUNDING:
None.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
LEGAL REVIEW ONLY BY CITY ATTORNEY: Yes
7/28/2023
STAFF CONTACT:
David Forte, Deputy City Administrator - Community Development
Sherry Morris, Development Services Director
Victoria D’Angelo, CRA Assistant Manager
Caitlin Cerame, Transportation Planner
ATTACHMENTS:
1) MOU - Jackson Street Transportation Master Plan
2) Executive Summary
PRESENTATION: Choose an item. end