Tarpon Springs and St. Petersburg are the latest local governments in Pinellas County seeking funding under the Forward Pinellas Complete Streets Program. Started in 2016, the program provides direct funding for local transportation projects that demonstrate a strong link to redevelopment, economic opportunity and better accessibility for all roadway users.
The City of Tarpon Springs has applied for the concept planning award of $100,000 for a “complete street” plan development along Disston Avenue.
The project’s focus is to revitalize historic neighborhoods, develop residential infill, and encourage economic growth. If awarded, the grant would help Tarpon Springs conduct a planning level study to work with the public and community stakeholders to develop a concept for Disston Avenue that both retains the character and culture of the neighborhood and provides north/south connectivity. This concept would be context-sensitive and thereby use the existing community structure and their needs to develop the design.The proposed plan would likely include: streetlighting, wider multi-use sidewalk, landscaping, wayfinding elements, bike lane connections and improvements, and crosswalk improvements.
The City of St. Petersburg has applied for the concept planning award of $100,000 for the 6th Street Bikeway – Complete Streets Concept Planning Study.
This proposal would identify the preferred roadway configuration for 6th Street between Roser Park and Mirror Lake through downtown St. Petersburg. The project is part of the larger strategy to reduce vehicle speeds, encourage placemaking and walkable design through redevelopment and improved pedestrian safety. The scope of work for the concept planning project includes several facets to include but not limited to the development of project alternatives based on public dialogue with the goal to create the safest and most comfortable design configuration and economical use of public space. Specific project considerations include lane repurposing, intersection configurations, traffic control, and pedestrian crossing location improvements
The City of St. Petersburg has also applied for a construction award of $1 million for the 22nd Street South Complete Streets project.
This project travels on 22nd St. South from 11th Ave South to 18th Ave South. The project is derived from the Warehouse Arts District Deuces Live Joint Action Plan. The project would be a catalyst for land use change as part of the ongoing redevelopment of Deuces Live Main Street area by creating a more livable, safe and comfortable roadway for shopping and commuting. Specifically, the project would create a 2-lane road with widened and buffered sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists which connects with other roadway corridor and trail projects.
About Our Complete Streets Program
Over the past 5-years, Forward Pinellas has implemented the Complete Streets Program with the intent of assisting communities meet their goals by providing safe access for all users, regardless of mode of transportation, age or physical ability. The Complete Streets program provides opportunities for transformative land use changes by creating opportunities for walkable, bikeable and more livable communities. In the previous 4-years, Forward Pinellas has awarded $4 million in construction grants and $400,000 in concept grants.
In its fifth year, Forward Pinellas released a call for Complete Streets applications in the summer of 2020 and the submittal deadline for the grant program was October 23, 2020. Forward Pinellas has assembled a subcommittee comprised of local representatives to review the applications. The applications chosen by the subcommittee for consideration of the grants will then be presented to Forward Pinellas committees and the Forward Pinellas Board for approval.
To view the full applications, visit the Complete Streets program page.
Following review of the applications by the subcommittee, the Forward Pinellas Board will consider a recommendation for awarding funds in March 2021. Following the project approval, the awarded planning and design concept funds must be spent by June 30 of 2022. Additionally, the awarded construction funding project is added to the state of Florida’s five-year transportation Work Program.
For more information about future call for projects, contact:
Chelsea Favero
cfavero@forwardpinellas
727-464-8250
