Committee backs letter to North Florida TPO after mobility study identifies sidewalk and bike gaps

The Economic and Community Development Committee on Feb. 20 voted to request a draft letter to the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) after a consultant presentation identified gaps in sidewalks and bicycle facilities on the town’s major corridors.

The consultant’s analysis, presented to the Town Council earlier in the week and summarized to the committee, focused on primary roads and traffic areas including Park Avenue, Kingsley Avenue, Wells Road, River Road, Plainfield and Doctors Lake Drive. The study mapped locations with missing sidewalks and bike connections and recommended developing a mobility plan and a complete-streets study; the consultant estimated a planning and implementation path of about five to 10 years once priorities are set.

Committee members discussed potential next steps for Orange Park, including preparing a mobility plan, defining a funding mechanism and pursuing grants. Staff and committee members noted existing regional facilities such as the Black Creek Trail and potential opportunities to tie local projects into county or state funding. Committee discussion listed a range of funding options referenced in the meeting: developer mobility fees (a dedicated pot created by ordinance), council contributions, county mobility funds where roads are jointly used, and grant programs.

Steven (staff member) described the mobility-plan approach: a multimodal mobility plan would consider sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure and transit, and include funding strategies. Committee members cautioned that a plan is required before most grants can be pursued; without a plan the town would be unlikely to win certain competitive funding. Several members suggested writing a follow-up letter to the TPO, both to thank the presenter and to ask about partnership and next steps for funding and technical assistance.

The committee approved a motion directing staff to draft that letter and forward it to the Town Council, with the intent of offering partnership and asking for advice on possible funding sources and next steps. The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript recorded all in favor but did not record a roll-call tally.

The committee said the mobility study provides a “blueprint” of gaps but that drafting a town mobility plan and a related funding mechanism (for example a mobility ordinance or overlay fund) would be the work needed to make projects grant‑ready. Members discussed coordinating with Clay County and the TPO on shared corridors and noted the Town’s membership in the TPO and prior access to reduced-cost or no-cost assessments.

Committee members asked staff to include the TPO study materials in meeting packets or post links on the town website so members can review them before further action. The group suggested returning the item for council consideration once a draft letter and recommended next steps are prepared.