Are the people in Dixieland going to pay for this?
It has been almost four years since concrete barriers were installed along South Florida Avenue between Lime and Ariana streets, converting that mile from five narrow lanes to three standard-sized ones — which was supposed to be a one-year experiment.
Now the facts:
- The South Florida Avenue “road diet” has been very controversial. (51% hate it)
- Inflation and labor shortages have increased the cost estimate to $22 million.
- Construction could begin in 2027, but only if the city and FDOT can agree on how much each should pay and secure the funds.
- Under the current plan, the road will be rebuilt with three lanes and wide sidewalks.
- If commissioners want to abandon the plan, it would cost $1 million to remove the barriers and make the road four lanes. But that might not be much faster and would not address safety concerns.
Mayor Mutz and the Commissioners already knew the costs and the concept plans years ago. The only one that was surprised was City Commissioner Guy LaLonde, Jr who started in January.
“Truly, I think the problem is we are looking for someone to blame and the reality is, we must remain good partners to accomplish this important work together without pointing fingers.” MAYOR BILL MUTZ
City Commissioner Guy LaLonde, Jr., who joined the commission in January, voiced his frustration that FDOT wouldn’t fully pay for improvements to its own roadway. “I feel like we’ve been taken to the prom and then left at the doorstep without a corsage,” LaLonde said. “How do you get to the dance?”
“I still cannot discern if this was their intent from the beginning, to test and not fund, or if — because of the dramatic growth in the state, and inflated prices of road projects with no funding source — it fell to the bottom of their priorities.” CITY COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE MADDEN
People are “unhappy with the barriers that are there now,” Read said. “We put them up, we can’t take them down. I think a lot of people would take them down if we had the opportunity. It’s not my decision — it could be a part of mine. We’re trying to do the best we can for you. We don’t have the money. I say a prayer every day that somebody’s not hurt.” “We don’t have the money and we’re not sure when we’re going to get the money.” CITY COMMISSIONER BILL READ
“It was my understanding that the city would pay for design, engineering work, sidewalk widening, etc., with the state paying for the road construction and improvements.” CITY COMMISSIONER CHAD MCLEOD