South Douglas Avenue May See Streetscape Enhancements

Six-foot-wide sidewalks, more street lighting and neighborhood signs are part of plans to beautify a southside stretch of Douglas Avenue.

Staff is asking city commissioners for the go-ahead on a $254,000 streetscaping project that would bring those and other amenities to Douglas Avenue from Lexington to Union streets, according to city documents.

The plans will be voted on at Thursday's city commission meeting.

Here's a closer look at them:

• A six-foot-wide concrete paver sidewalk along the east side of Douglas Avenue between Lexington and Union streets, and along the west side of Douglas Avenue between Pelican Bay and Union Street.
• Five pedestrian street lamps along the east side of Douglas Avenue. Solar powered lamps are still being researched.
• Decorative signs to be placed above the street name designating it as either a Virginia Park or Shore Crest neighborhood.
• Three texturized crosswalks (two at Orangewood Avenue and one at Union Street).

The city surveyed all 11 property owners potentially affected by the project along the stretch. Five homeowners did not respond. Four approved of the changes; two did not, according to city planners.

The city is budgeting $300,000 from the Penny Sales Tax Fund.

If commissioners approve of the plan, city staff will begin the bidding process.