CRA staff recommend South Beach Parkway as next urban-trail segment

CRA staff recommended the CRA pursue the South Beach Parkway segment as the next urban-trail project, citing connectivity to Passport Park and the recently completed Jacksonville Drive segment.

Taylor, speaking for staff, said the South Beach Parkway alignment "makes the most sense" this fiscal year because it ties the park, playground and Jacksonville Drive and can use an existing continuing-services contract with Mayer Construction for pricing. Taylor said staff will request a quote from Mayer and expects to return to the board in March or April with budget details and recommended next steps.

Board members raised phasing and mapping questions, noting that master-plan maps use different color codes and that some connectors (including a JT Butler link) might be beneficial to add so retail and local users gain better access. One board member urged extending work to JT Butler to better tie in retail areas.

Members also flagged a pedestrian-safety concern at the South Beach Parkway crossing near Riptide/Ocean Cay (where school buses drop off students). A member described cars not stopping reliably at that crossing and asked staff to study an enhanced pedestrian crossing similar to those installed on 3rd Street.

Taylor said staff would coordinate with the city's communications team to inform neighborhoods of phasing and planned work and offered to use door hangers, QR codes and direct outreach for residents who don’t use the Internet.

What’s next: staff will solicit a quote from Mayer Construction, review traffic-study data, and aim to present a cost and schedule in the March or April CRA meeting for possible approval.