Lynn Haven unveils $4.3 million streetscape concept for Florida Avenue; residents raise parking, maintenance and stormwater concerns

Mrs. Gaynor, a city staff member, opened a public presentation Tuesday on a grant-funded streetscape redesign for Florida Avenue and connecting corridors in Lynn Haven, saying the project grew from a grant application filed about February 2020 and that the consulting team was ready to share concept drawings.

Joe Sorci, of Florida Architects, told attendees that “design is a process,” and described concepts meant to create a distinct identity for Florida Avenue and to link it with Ohio Avenue and Sheffield Park. The plans show widened sidewalks on Florida Avenue, new tree plantings where overhead utilities allow, parallel parking, patterned paving at Ninth Street and concrete pavers for sidewalks and parking zones. Designers said the proposal aims for “low cost, low maintenance, high impact” while encouraging private investment and infill development.

The plans were developed with input from a public charrette and meetings with affected business owners, the consultants said. Antonio Odessi, designer and planner for Florida Architects, described Ninth Street as a “hallway” linking City Hall and the downtown core to Florida Avenue and said the team designed different streetscape treatments for higher-speed Ohio Avenue and slower, pedestrian-oriented Florida…