At the January 16, 2019 Board of County Commissioner's Meeting, PEO staff was directed to explore a proposed alternative route for the Orange Avenue Trail as proposed by the Summerwoods HOA. The alternative route would utilize the ROW of Orange Avenue, Sabal Palm Road and an interceding property owned by the BOCC to create an east/west multi-use trail corridor for the movement of bicycles and pedestrians. As part of that direction, staff was to explore the cost associated with the alternative route.
Since the meeting, PEO staff has worked with the Summerwoods HOA to explore the alternate route. We have confirmation from the Property Owner (Trip Stanley via Summerwoods of Amelia Island LLC) that a portion of the Sabal Palm ROW (a private ROW) will be deeded to the county to support the movement of bicycle and pedestrians.
A cost estimate has been obtained to determine the cost of repaving Orange Avenue, the design and construction of a 10' multi-use trail through county owned property, any improvements to Sabal Palm Road, and the crossing of Amelia Island Parkway. The cost estimate also included lighting which is optional and likely not desired as it will encourage night time use.
In addition to exploring the opportunity to create this non-vehicular facility, staff was also directed to explore the opportunity of closing Orange Avenue to vehicular traffic. This would create a 1/2 +/- mile pedestrian plaza connecting the multi-use trail on First Coast Highway to the pedestrian facilities on the Amelia Island Parkway and public beach access. The cost estimates for the project were based on closing the Orange Avenue to vehicular traffic except for one small segment connecting Anthony Street to Karen Street. |