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Council OKs 56th Street Plan

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: January 14, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - With the county, state and federal government's support, motorists and pedestrians alike may soon see some major enhancements along one of the city's main corridors.

At last week's city council meeting, members adopted a resolution that authorizes the city to enter into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to improve the appearance and efficiency of 56th Street between the Hillsborough River and Busch Boulevard.

A $1.5 million grant from the state, half of the city's $3.1 million budgeted cost, will be used to resurface county-owned 56th Street and provide new landscaping, decorative light fixtures and mast-arm traffic signals along the street, as well as at the intersection of state-owned Busch Boulevard.

Also, part of the plan is to replace and widen the sidewalks, put in benches and make improvements to the crosswalks to better accommodate pedestrians.

Joe Motta, the city's public works director, said another federal grant of $2.1 million also will be used to fund the $5 million undertaking.

The city will obtain permits and liability insurance.

The Tampa architectural firm of David Conner & Associates designed the streetscape that Motta said is an important step in the redevelopment of downtown.

"We need to go to bid on this by June and hopefully, we'll start it in the fall," Motta said.

Construction should be completed by early 2010.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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