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County staff outline Curry Pike reconstruction plan; commissioners debate missing sidewalks and funding options
Summary
Staff described a multi-segment Curry Pike reconstruction that will repair curb, gutter, ramps and some sidewalks but will not fund several missing sidewalk links in the first segment after the BZA granted a variance; commissioners debated coordination with the city, MPO priorities and possible sidewalk-funding approaches.
County staff told commissioners they plan to reconstruct a first segment of Curry Pike (State Road 48 to Beasley Drive) that will include curb and gutter, ADA ramps and some sidewalk repairs. Staff said the board of zoning appeals granted a variance for SMPTRA (company name appears in record) that relieves the project area of some sidewalk obligations; staff said because of that variance and limited budget, the county will not include new missing sidewalk links in the first segment.
Staff described options: pursue right-of-way acquisitions, utilities adjustments and additional engineering and surveying, or coordinate cost-sharing with adjacent property owners such as SIMTRA/SMPTRA in future segments. Commissioners discussed alternative approaches, including applying for federal safety grants, seeking voluntary right-of-way donations from property owners, creating a dedicated sidewalk fund, or submitting a joint city–county project to the MPO’s transportation improvement program (TIP).
Commissioners and staff agreed that sidewalks and connectivity are desirable for safety and economic access, but that MPO funding is spoken for through 2030 and that the city has not prioritized adding this Curry Pike segment to the MPO TIP. Several commissioners urged continued study and coordination with city engineering, MPO and planning staff; staff said additional segments could be bid for construction in 2026 and 2027 and that the first segment aims to stay within the present budget to avoid repeating current fiscal strains.
Commissioners also noted that if federal funds are involved, right-of-way and donation discussions must follow strict federal procedures; staff said surveying and stormwater televising are underway to refine design and costs before future grant applications or cost-sharing conversations.
No formal action was taken; the discussion produced direction to continue project design within the stated budget and to pursue interagency coordination and grant opportunities for future sidewalk and continuity work.
