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Traffic signal mystery traced to defunct store

Dr. Delay Navigating South Pinellas

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published March 18, 2007

Webb's City, the kitschy world-famous department store that once dominated the city's downtown landscape, may be gone, but its presence lingers in some ways.

Before you decide that the Doc needs her head examined, let me explain, starting with, what else? A letter from reader April Brown:

"Dear Doc, What is with the stoplight at MLK Ninth Street S and Second Avenue S? During baseball season, perhaps, it might be of use. But otherwise it's a one-way street turning left onto a one-way street. I sit there every morning. It's annoying. It sometimes makes me late."

We forwarded April's letter to Michael Frederick, the city's transportation manager. Frederick conferred with City Council member Bill Foster. Foster evoked Webb's City, the home of dancing chickens, talking mermaids and affordable haircuts in his elucidation of the offending traffic signal.

"This signal was installed years ago when there was a large department store - Webb's City - on the corner. Because it is on the synchronized grid signal network, it doesn't pose much of a problem for drivers. Since converting to LED technology, the energy consumption is very little. I am concerned that if it were removed and then a new building were constructed on that corner that the rebuilding cost would be more than keeping it," Foster said.

I know this doesn't really help April, but when I read Foster's comments, I felt a wave of nostalgia. I miss Webb's City, and I think its demise is a huge loss to St. Petersburg. Foster's hope that a new enterprise will someday rise on the same corner that Webb's so colorfully occupied for many years is worth a tiny bit of annoyance, if only for the wistful reminder of what once was, don't you think?

ST. PETERSBURG

School buses must stop for railroad crossings

Last week's mention of abandoned railroad crossings in the city generated an interesting question from a school bus driver:

"There are a number of paved-over, abandoned tracks in South St. Pete - 31st Street S right behind Gibbs High School and 28th Street S right before the interstate - to name a few. State law states that all school buses must stop at railroad crossings. Even if they are paved over and appear to be abandoned, if any regulatory signage is present we still must stop," he wrote. "When are the signs going to be taken down so we don't have to stop any longer? It certainly does make a lot of motorists angry with us because we do have to stop."

The city has asked the state Department of Transportation, which owns the corridor, to transfer ownership to the city so workers can remove the cross bucks and signs and salvage the rails, Frederick said. Once that is done, there will be no requirement for buses to stop at each crossing.

In the meantime, I hope drivers will refrain from hassling school bus drivers who are observing the rules of the road.

PINELLAS PARK, U.S. 19

Meeting will answer questions about corridor

If you're interested in what's happening with the U.S. 19 corridor from Gandy Boulevard to the Pasco County line, here's your chance to find out the latest on the plans and share your thoughts.

The DOT will hold a public meeting in Pinellas Park from 5 to 7 p.m. March 29 at Park Station, 5851 Park Blvd. No formal presentation is planned, but officials will be available to answer questions. Fact sheets and large picture boards of projects, including the planned interchanges at 110th and 118th avenues from 49th Street to 126th Avenue, will be available for review. Information: DOT project manager Amy Neidringhaus at 1-800-226-7220.

ST. PETE BEACH

New road signs remind drivers of speed limits

The St. Pete Beach Public Works Department has installed new road signs reminding drivers of speed limits in the beach community. The "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25" signs, located throughout residential neighborhoods, are part of a safety campaign that started in 1998 to promote safe driving. A study conducted by the nonprofit Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 organization found that 75 percent of motorists who drive by one of the signs apply their brakes.

ST. PETERSBURG

Looper Trolley will be free during Grand Prix

Grand Prix fans take note: downtown Looper Trolley Service will be free during the Honda Grand Prix, which begins March 30 and runs through April 1.

Street closures associated with the road race will affect the regular Looper service routes: The regular stop serving the Hilton Hotel will be relocated to the east side of Second Street, just north of Fourth Avenue S (behind the hotel).

The stop at USF will not be served during the race.

Modified Looper routes, along with the special Park 'N Ride system for the Honda Grand Prix, may be viewed online on the events page of the Looper Web site: www.LooperTrolley.com.

Please share your traffic concerns, comments and questions with Dr. Delay via e-mail at docdelay@yahoo.com.

[Last modified March 17, 2007, 20:20:52]