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Business owners make a pitch for bricks on Central

The Grand Central Business District says lining a portion of the street would create a nice touch and slow drivers.

By JON WILSON
Published November 10, 2004

ST. PETERSBURG - Entrepreneurs along a near-downtown Central Avenue stretch would like to do something the old-fashioned way: Pave their street with bricks.

The Grand Central Business District is interested in a brick, rather than asphalt, surface because members say bricks would add a pleasing touch to the "urban village" concept they are trying to develop. Brick also would tend to slow fast-driving motorists, members say.

Grand Central comprises Central Avenue and the First avenues N and S between Interstate 275 and 31st Street. Part of the section has been designated a Florida Main Street, which is a state program to help revive older business districts.

"We're meeting some resistance from the city, as one would expect. But we think in an effort to really identify an area as a niche market for a Florida Main Street and a shopping and retail district you'd want to live in, (bricks are) something you'd need," said Jim Longstreth, a Grand Central board member.

Proponents wouldn't have to look far. In an earlier era, bricks provided Central's hard surface. They remain just beneath the asphalt in some sections.

Joe Kubicki, the city's transportation director, said he is aware of the idea.

"I've talked to them about it. I think there's an opportunity there," Kubicki said, citing possible traffic-calming effects.

A possible first step is a small demonstration project, perhaps at an intersection or along a single block of Central. The First avenues, considered the arteries in and out of downtown, wouldn't be affected.

So far, said Kubicki, no timetable for such a project has been set up, nor have possible funding sources been established.

Said Longstreth: "We've heard anywhere from $200,000 to $800,000 (to install bricks) for the whole district. That's why we say, let's practice on an intersection.

"It's definitely still a live concept."

[Last modified November 10, 2004, 00:38:24]