Sidewalk to Johnson Middle School to be Completed

Students walking to Johnson Middle School from the east have no option but to walk in along the street. That should change by the beginning of the new school year.

Manatee County Commissioners received a briefing on the project Tuesday morning from Walter Sowa with public works. 

“Last year we did a sidewalk project on 26^th Avenue East in front of the school, and eliminated one crosswalk,” he said.

On the south side the sidewalk has a long gap before it joins the sidewalks at 27^th Street East. Properties on both sides of 26^th Avenue were recently annexed by the City of Bradenton. But Sowa said there is sufficient space for right-of-way on the south side to bridge the sidewalk gap. Earlier this year the Manatee County School Board put the gap-filler on its priority list for county capital improvements near schools.

The same right-of-way is not available on the north side of 26^th Avenue. Sowa said no sidewalk would be built there until an owner develops the property, which is now a greenfield.

“We estimate it will cost $27,000 from the annual county sidewalk budget,” said Sowa. “We will be constructing this shortly.”

Commissioner Michael Gallen said, “This is important, it’s the direct route to the school. So how shortly?”

“Probably within the next six months,” said Sowa.