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Brooksville and Hernando County outline North Avenue sidewalk options; city puts $50,000 toward design
Summary
Brooksville presented two design options for new sidewalks on North Avenue to improve safe routes to school: Howell Avenue to U.S. 98 (longer) or Howell to White Way Drive (shorter, serves two neighborhoods). The city has committed $50,000 for design and will seek MPO/FDOT funding once plans are developed.
The City of Brooksville and county staff updated the joint meeting on a proposed North Avenue sidewalk project aimed at improving pedestrian access to Hernando High School and nearby neighborhoods.
Two routing options were presented: (1) a longer build that would run approximately 3,300 linear feet from Howell Avenue to U.S. 98 providing a continuous connection to the high‑school area; or (2) a shorter first phase of about 2,210 linear feet from Howell Avenue to White Way Drive that would give immediate access to two principal neighborhoods and be less expensive to deliver.
Funding and next steps
The city has allocated $50,000 in its current capital improvement program for preliminary design/engineering and will pursue state or federal funding via the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and FDOT Local Agency Program (LAP) once designs are complete. County staff and the MPO advised that completed design and right‑of‑way work make projects more competitive for Transportation Alternatives / Safe Routes to School grants; MPO director Bob Esposito urged a letter of support from the superintendent and principals when applying for Safe Routes funds.
Why design matters
Presenters noted substantial stormwater work would be required in some segments and that design will determine which side of the street is most feasible for a continuous sidewalk. The project was already on the MPO’s unfunded list; staff said getting a design ready is the essential next step to move toward funding and construction.
Quotations
"To receive Safe Routes to School funding you'll really need the superintendent to write a letter of support," Bob Esposito, MPO executive director, said.
"If we did it in two phases, at least the first phase would serve two primary neighborhoods at a cheaper cost," said Richard Weeks, Brooksville public works director.
Ending
City and county staff asked for partnership and any funding ideas from the other boards. The city will pursue design funding and coordinate next steps with the MPO and Hernando County technical staff.
