by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
According to project managers, efforts to upgrade sidewalks and utilities in Five Points is already ahead of schedule. Budgeted at approximately $1 million and funded by the City, JEA and private initiatives, the improvement project began in January.
The City’s $700,000 contribution is being funneled from an existing Intersection Improvement Fund through the Streets and Drainage Department.
“I’m really, really pleased at what I’ve seen so far,” said Council member Michael Corrigan. “They’ve already accomplished so much in a relatively short amount of time and, when they’re finished, I’m sure it is going to look phenomenal.”
Sherry Hall of the City’s Public Works Department confirmed much had been done by way of streetscape improvements and parking upgrades. She said work would likely shift to the west side of Park Street, between Post and Lomax streets, within two months.
While work continues on the east side of Park Street, north bound traffic is being rerouted.
“That’s how we’ve chosen to approach this particular project,” said Hall. “It’s being broken down into two phases so that we can at least keep one side of the street open at a time.
“I think it’s working out well, because we haven’t received hardly any negative phone calls about it.”
Despite being largely ahead of schedule, Corrigan held a meeting a City Hall Tuesday to discuss the remaining options for a separate component of the plan that hasn’t been entirely funded.
Five Points’ merchants originally requested that above ground power lines along Park Street be moved behind the Starlight Cafe and Club Five.
Corrigan said that would allow for better sidewalk access while improving the aesthetic appeal of the shopping district.
JEA representative Nancy Kilgo said relocating costs, budgeted at approximately $47,000, would be covered by the JEA. However, Five Points business owners would be responsible for the subsequent $120,000 needed to pay for utility reconnection and realignment costs.
Kilgo said the utility relocation project was “optional” and that it could be revisited after the appropriate funds become available.
“It really doesn’t have to be done right now and we’re happy to give (the business owners) more time to raise more money,” she said. “Park Street wouldn’t look exactly like they wanted at that time, but it might actually be better to move the posts later on so that we don’t stall any other part of the project while we’re waiting for them.”
Corrigan agreed, but hoped to find some way to let the entire project move at singular pace.
“I’d like to see if we can work toward raising the rest of the money they need so we wouldn’t have to go back there again in a year or two,” he said. “My concern is that it would wind up costing them more money to do it that way.”
The majority of the Five Points upgrades, minus the power line relocation, are expected to be completed by next December.