Changes Coming to Gandy Boulevard
In 2012, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) informed the MPO that bids on projects around the state were coming in lower than expected and that FDOT had extra (that’s…
Steps for a more accessible Pinellas County
Access, the means of approaching or entering a place, is an often overlooked indicator of how successfully a community is evolving from nondescript corridor to place. Shifting from an emphasis on…
A Walk on the Streets of Largo
I set out on a warm and sunny winter day after work, before the next cold front arrives, to meet the dual objectives of exercise and to enjoy social interaction…
Pinellas MPO enthusiastic about prospects for countywide bike share
As I introduced the Pinellas Countywide Bike Share Feasibility item at the mid-point of Wednesday’s Pinellas County MPO meeting, I jokingly told the board we had allotted one-and-a-half hours for…
Defining the Heart of Seminole
Park Boulevard, from Seminole Boulevard to 113th Street, is gaining a lot of attention because a long-planned new city center, taking the place of the former Seminole Mall, is being…
Enhancing Beach Community Access in Pinellas County
Pinellas County is defined by its geography. Water on three sides, inland lakes and numerous bays, inlets, canals and wetlands make for a compact place to put people, commerce, industry…
From Transition to Transformation
The year 2015 was one of transition for the Pinellas Planning Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization, and for me personally. It began with the newly unified agency in the process…
Who owns US 19, Gateway/Mid-County and the Beaches? We all do.
The Pinellas beaches, the Gateway/Mid-County area, and the US 19 corridor reflect different aspects of Pinellas County, but all have a few things in common. First, they share in driving…
Happy Silver Anniversary, Pinellas Trail!
By Sue Miller, MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner The Pinellas Trail welcomes bicyclists, walkers, skateboarders, dog-walkers, strollers, inline skaters, and strollers. It brings together residents, tourists, seasonal visitors, the young,…
Improving Regional Connections for Thanksgiving Travel
The week of Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the year. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that 46.9 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home…
Can Bike Sharing Work in Pinellas County?
A recent Tampa Bay Times story described St. Petersburg’s pursuit of a bike share program intended to expand accessibility throughout the city’s commercial core. Could the rest of Pinellas County…
The Important Lessons of SunRail
If we’re going to adapt our land use and transportation planning to a new reality, we’re going to need to rethink access in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay region.…