The mayor supports converting, for now, four blocks of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street N to two-way traffic.
By JON WILSON
Published July 23, 2003
ST. PETERSBURG - Two-way traffic on a longtime one-way street through downtown is back on the front burner.
But a recommendation from Mayor Rick Baker calls for converting just four blocks of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street N to two-way flow - between Ninth and Fifth avenues N.
Business people for several years have pushed for a return to traffic in both directions along the street's current southbound one-way pattern between Ninth Avenue N and Ninth Avenue S.
They believe having traffic traveling in both directions would result in more customers, and say a one-way pattern encourages vehicles to barrel past shops and restaurants.
Baker's recommendation, if the council approves it, would budget $600,000 to start the project from Ninth to Fifth avenues N next year.
If not everything business people could want, Baker's proposal at least moves the two-way project a step forward. Last year, money to pay for work on the strip missed budget inclusion.
"I'm disappointed, of course," said Dennis Bender, who owns the Chatterbox Grill on Martin Luther King and First Avenue N. "But I do think it's a good idea to get it going.
"I wish I was up there where it was going two-way, but I'm not and that's the way it goes. But it's good that it's getting rolling."
The conversion between Ninth and Fifth avenues N would not include a two-way project on Eighth Street, which carries traffic north. That could come later when funding sources are identified, said Mike Connors, city engineer.
In a memo sent to the council on Monday, Baker cited a total estimated cost of $7.6-million to convert both King Street and Eighth Street because the Florida Department of Transportation requires a new entry ramp onto Interstate 375 from Eighth Street.
The mayor noted that a segment of the overall two-waying could be completed without committing to future phases until money to pay for them is identified.
Baker cited several other factors in his recommendation:
The strip has the most business density between Ninth and Fifth avenues N.
Ending the two-way flow at Fifth Avenue N would create the same configuration as exists on Fourth Street N, which becomes one way at Fifth Avenue.
The project would have fewer recurring operating expenses than alternatives.
Current city finances make the project doable.
Council member Virginia Littrell, whose district includes the area, said Tuesday she likes the idea of getting the two-way conversion under way.
A two-way stretch between Ninth and Fifth avenues would help traffic trying to reach St. Anthony's Hospital, she said.
And she reiterated her support for opening the rest of the strip to two-way traffic.
"We must," she said.
A workshop for the council to discuss Baker's recommendation will be scheduled later.
