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Council reviews Blake Avenue Complete Streets plan recommending targeted improvements and a one-way conversion
Summary
Public Works and CMT presented a Complete Streets recommendation for Blake Avenue that prioritizes safety, adds sidewalks where feasible, and proposes converting the east segment to one-way to create space for sidewalks and parking adjustments; estimated roadway construction cost is about $900,000 and the total program cost about $1,130,000 (water-main replacement excluded).
Public Works Director Kyle Croce and consultants from CMT presented the Blake Avenue Complete Streets study to the Orange Park Town Council on Dec. 2, describing a preferred hybrid alternative that aims to improve safety and multimodal access while minimizing impacts to private property.
The CMT representative said the study centers on three goals: prioritize safety for all users, accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, and improve livability. The firm reported targeted public outreach (a May 28 meeting with roughly 20 signed attendees and an estimated 30 people present, plus 15 written comments) and four crashes on the corridor over three years — including one serious-injury pedestrian crash — as part of the safety justification for changes.
The recommended alternative includes pavement rehabilitation on the western segment, curb and ADA driveway repairs, and targeted sidewalk construction. For the corridor's east half, consultants recommended converting the block between Park Avenue and Orange Circle to one-way eastbound to free right-of-way space for a sidewalk, reduce left-turn crash exposure at Park Avenue, and allow protected on-street parking and a five-foot no-parking buffer. The plan also calls for a midblock hybrid beacon to link to the River Road pathway and proposes locating sidewalk on the north side that would connect around Orange Circle to the south side to avoid impacts to mature street trees and mailboxes.
The consultant estimated construction-only costs at just under $900,000, with a total program cost (including engineering, temporary easements and potential utility relocation) of about $1,130,000. The presentation noted that water-main replacement costs are not included in those estimates and would be addressed separately.
Councilmembers asked for a written cost comparison between the hybrid one-way option and the two-way alternative, more detail about temporary versus permanent easements, and confirmation of public meeting materials. Kyle Croce said staff will provide a cost-comparison and follow-up information, and that the study will move into design in early 2026 pending council consensus and available funding.
Next steps outlined by staff include finalizing design, acquiring necessary temporary easements, and scheduling construction as funding permits.
