Commission authorizes final design for Southwest First ‘streetery,’ funding plan includes CRA and local gas tax

The City Commission on Feb. 20 authorized the city manager to move ahead with final design of the Southwest First Avenue “streetery,” a two-block festival-street proposal from SW Second Street to Main Street, and approved a task assignment with JVPro for final design work.

Public Works Director Bridal Singleton presented the concept and said the project responds to previous commission direction to retain a Festival Street close to vehicular traffic while reconstructing substandard sidewalks and utilities. Staff proposed a curbless street with modern brick pavers, programmable string and tree lighting, locked power receptacles for events, retractable bollards for access and planters and seating down the center of the corridor. Staff recommended a hybrid or full brick-paver surface; workshop feedback favored modern, non-beveled pavers rather than the original historic brick.

The design contract was negotiated at $162,734; staff recommended funding the design and pre-construction work with local option gas-tax dollars (a $200,000 budget amendment was proposed). Construction estimates for full reconstruction were presented at approximately $3.0 million. Staff suggested a Construction Manager at Risk delivery so a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) can be provided to the Commission at the 60% design point and construction can proceed quickly. AMJ (developer of Lot 10) is coordinating a parallel Lot 10 redevelopment and staff said utilities and frontage work will be coordinated with the developer’s schedule.

In public workshops residents and advisory boards expressed mixed views: some advocacy for preserving historic vitrified bricks and trees, others preferring modern pavers for walkability and ADA access. Downtown Advisory Board urged flexibility so the street could reopen to traffic in the future if necessary; CRA board members recommended retaining flexibility and reviewing the street’s performance a year after completion. Commissioners emphasized that a functional design and pedestrian safety must be priorities, asked staff to preserve significant live oak canopy where feasible, and pressed staff to pursue sponsorships and partnership support for programming and scholarships.

The Commission passed a motion to proceed with the final design (modern brick pavers, gateway amenities at South Main and planters/seating), to enter a task assignment with JVPro and to return with a GMP for construction; the vote to authorize design and task assignment passed unanimously. Staff said construction could begin late 2025 if GMP and procurement proceed on schedule.