Earlier this month, the Milton City Council tasked city staff to integrate a walking/biking plan into the city’s road paving priority. City officials are soon expected to present council with an overall analysis and a list of sidewalk projects, which would benefit citizens in several different perspectives, according to City Planning Director Randy Jorgenson.
“To put it in simplest terms, it’s the from and to; where are people coming from and where are they trying to get to,” he said. “The question then becomes how do you move people from the population centers and the populated subdivisions to the commercial, public and recreational destinations that they are trying to get to.”
The city could both address sidewalks and streets at the same time with council approval.
“As part of our objective (is) the desire to try and link both the street improvements and sidewalk improvements together if we can,” Jorgenson said. “At a cost per linear foot, you will drive the cost down when you work in conjunction with the street improvements. That is just being good stewards of money.”
Last year, the council voted to spend $250,000 in order to provide repair and repaving work to both Dixon and Alabama Streets. The council has previously supported the notion of providing the same services for several of city maintained streets and roadways, depending on the status of the city’s fiscal budget.
“The analysis was created out of grant applications to the state’s Transportation Planning Organization for proceeds that could be used for sidewalk improvement projects,” Jorgenson said. “I think we have identified some opportunities and some challenges.”
Jorgenson said the opportunities consist of having sidewalks connect portions of the city with a modest investment, while the challenge consists of connecting the entire community with a significant investment.
However, some of the newer subdivisions are assisting in the process, according to City Manager Brian Watkins.
“In the current (city) code, any subdivisions that are built now… the city requires them to have one sidewalk on one side if the road,” Watkins said.
With safety in mind, one particular issue the city is calling to attention to is Pond Creek.
“That is a public safety issue,” Jorgenson said. “We continue to call to attention the lack of what we would consider to be safe passage over the creek for pedestrians and bicycles.”
The Florida Department of Transportation oversees U.S. Highway 90 and the bridge which crosses Pond Creek. Jorgenson said the FDOT is aware of the city’s concerns and are currently looking to addressing the issue.
While one objective is better connecting the city for pedestrians on foot, another objective consists of cyclists.
Jorgenson said another desire of city staff is expanding the already popular Blackwater State Heritage Trail.
“We do have a wonderful trail system and bicyclists throughout this part of the state are attracted to the City of Milton because of that trail system,” Jorgenson said. “Ultimately, we would like to see that trail extend throughout the community. In fact, we would like to see it encompass the city.”
Jorgenson said such an expansion would require financial assistance from outside the city.
While the additional sidewalks would benefit citizens, they could potentially benefit the city’s economic growth, Jorgenson said.
“Today’s consumer actually likes to walk from one store to another,” he said. “If you don’t provide sidewalks to provide them access, they can’t. So, the fact is along some of our corridor or corridors… we are probably loosing some consumer dollars because there is not safe passage for pedestrians or bicyclists.”
Sidewalk projects benefiting both King and Hobbs Middle Schools are currently in the works with funding assistance from the TPO, Watkins said.
Making sure children have a safe passage way to school is of major importance to city officials.
“That is moving kids to schools, which is extremely important to keep children safe and out of the street.” Jorgenson said. “On a rainy day, if you are walking to school and you do not have a sidewalk, you got your choice of either the mud path or the road and most of them gravitate towards the road. We need to keep the kids out of the street.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Additional sidewalks in the works for Milton