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Commissioners back direction to bring downtown sidewalks up to FDOT standards to shift maintenance and liability
Summary
Assistant City Manager Sean Finley proposed replacing decorative brick banding with FDOT-standard concrete sidewalks across downtown districts; commissioners supported the safety and liability arguments but pressed staff on cost, neighborhood sidewalk priorities, preservation of palm trees and crosswalk materials.
Assistant City Manager Sean Finley presented a plan to replace the decorative brick banding in Ormond Beach's downtown Ocean, River and Creek districts with concrete sidewalks built to Florida Department of Transportation specifications.
Finley said the project's goals are safety and uniformity: the decorative banding has become a maintenance challenge (pavers settling and causing trip hazards) and a liability concern, whereas FDOT-standard concrete would be easier to repair and, if permitted and built to FDOT standards, the department could assume long-term maintenance and liability.
"We took a look at some different options of how we could redo the banding. The most important thing that we need is some safe sidewalks in the downtown," Finley said, adding that plans are approximately 95% complete and staff is considering using a construction manager at risk or putting the project out to bid.
Commissioners voiced broad support for prioritizing safety but asked for more details before a final direction. Commissioner Kristen Deaton asked, "Is it necessary and how much is it going to cost?" and said she wanted staff to consider sidewalk needs in her district as well.
Commissioner Howard Briley and others supported the FDOT route because it would shift liability: Briley noted the downtown improvements attract visitors and that turning maintenance over to FDOT would reduce city costs in future years.
Questions from commissioners included whether signature palm trees would be disturbed (Finley said the intention is to leave them intact), whether reclaimed water or irrigation could support planters and outdoor business displays (staff will investigate), and whether brick crosswalks would be retained (staff is working through requirements with FDOT; final crosswalk treatment may be asphalt and thermoplastic markings).
Finley told commissioners that the funding under consideration for this downtown work comes from CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) funds allocated for downtown repairs, and emphasized that CRA funds are not available for unrelated neighborhood sidewalk projects. He said staff expects to return with final permitting details and a maintenance agreement with FDOT, targeted for a future March meeting.
The commission did not take a binding vote on financing at this meeting but directed staff to continue coordination with FDOT, finalize permitting details and return with procurement options and cost estimates.
