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Wider future ahead for 22nd Street

Money to widen the street and add sidewalks has been allotted in the county's 2006 budget.

By DEMORRIS LEE
Published August 21, 2005

UNIVERSITY AREA - After years of planning, the widening of 22nd Street in northeastern Hillsborough County is nearing reality.

County commissioners have earmarked the remaining $5.9-million needed in their budget for fiscal year 2006, said Richard Rubenstein of the county's budget office.

A "yes" vote on the budget Sept. 22 will allow 22nd Street to be widened and sidewalks added from Bearss Avenue to the back door of the University Mall.

Local officials initially tried to get the remaining needed funds from the state, but Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the idea. The $17.9-million project should begin in July 2006.

"One of the projects for improving the University neighborhood community included improving 22nd Street and adjacent property," said Joe Incorvia, the county's community planning manager. "Twenty-second Street would become a community main street."

The design for the improvements calls for sidewalks, bike lanes and areas near bus stops that would allow traffic to flow while a bus is stopped. There will also be strict zoning requirements for new businesses in the area.

The majority of the right of way needed to begin the project has already been purchased, Incorvia said. The first leg of construction will be from Bearss to Fletcher avenues. The second phase will be from Fletcher to the back of the mall.

The widening of 22nd Street is one of many projects targeted to revitalize the University area, which is one of the county's poorest neighborhoods.

A community center and several schools have been built along 22nd Street, and the entire area is designated as an "enterprise zone," which gives businesses and developers breaks for investing in the area.

[Last modified August 19, 2005, 19:28:02]