Study finds Eighth, MLK streets should be two-way

The plan still must gain approval from the state Department of Transportation.

By ANDREW MEACHAM

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 22, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Two-way traffic got a thumbs-up from an engineering firm hired to analyze sections of roadway along the Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) Street "corridor" that currently are one-way.

Cost options vary from around $400,000 to just under $3-million. Aspects of converting the one-way sections of Ninth and Eighth streets to two-way must win the approval of the Florida Department of Transportation and the City Council.

Traffic officials will also appeal to the police department and the public in a series of meetings.

The city's traffic and transportation department commissioned the $40,000 study in response to concerns voiced by the M.L.K. Business District Association. In the late 1970s, the city converted the Eighth and Ninth Street "corridor," from Eighth Street N to Ninth Avenue S, to one-way sections. Business since then is down, owners say. Vacancy rates are up.

Traffic has flowed well below capacity. A 1998 study counted just under 11,962 cars along Ninth Street south of Ninth Avenue N. The DOT estimates capacity for four-lane, one-way traffic at 33,720 cars a day.

Under the two-way plan proposed by Tampa Bay Engineering, that area of Ninth would still be able to handle more than 26,000 cars a day. The firm presented several options for two-way traffic, with optional improvements to sidewalks and traffic signals.

Events at Tropicana Field such as Devil Ray games can draw up to 25,000 cars in the hour before or after the event, presenting one of the greatest challenges for planners. Special event staff of the police department, who are in charge of routing traffic in and out of the dome, have expressed reservations about returning to two-way flow. Tampa Bay Engineering, however, concluded that, "A revised traffic control plan could easily be developed to incorporate the changes to MLK Street and Eighth Street within the Tropicana Field special events impact area."

The report did not make a recommendation on the I-375 westbound on-ramp from Eighth Street but called it "a major issue." Many area residents and business owners favor closing the ramp. FDOT guidelines discourage any modifications limiting access to interstate highways. The study now makes the rounds among City Council members and the Planning Commission. A series of workshops and public forums will likely result, traffic and transportation director Angelo Rao said.

Davis Islands center to host planning seminar

"Tomorrow Matters!," a free seminar on community planning, will be held Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hillsborough Community College, Davis Islands Vision Center Auditorium, 39 Columbia Drive, Tampa. Promotional literature describes the event's purpose as "learning the mechanics of how communities operate, and partnering with diverse groups of people." RSVP by Monday to (813) 831-9774.

Yard sale planned in Lake Pasadena

Lake Pasadena is holding a yard sale Saturday at 65th Street N and Lakeshore Drive. The sale starts at 9 a.m.

Meetings

COQUINA KEY: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Coquina Key Clubhouse. Topic: results of traffic study.

EUCLID HEIGHTS: 7 p.m. Tuesday. First Alliance Church, 5000 10th St. N. Speaker: representative of Metro Crime Prevention of Florida.

GATEWAY: 7:30 p.m. Monday. St. James United Methodist Church library, 845 87th Ave. N. Open forum.

JUNGLE TERRACE: 7 p.m. Wednesday. Walter Fuller Recreation Center, 7891 26th Ave. N. Candidates' forum: Florida House of Representatives candidates Bob Kersteen and Charlie Justice, District 53; County Commission candidates Brent Fisher and Ken Welch, District 7.

LAKE MAGGIORE SHORES: 7 p.m. Thursday. Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S. Topic: neighborhood plan.

LAKEWOOD CIVIC: 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lakewood United Church of Christ, 2601 54th Ave. S.

METHODIST TOWN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Dwight Jones Community Center, 1035 Burlington Ave. N.

RIVIERA BAY: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. St. James United Methodist Church, 845 87th Ave. N. Speaker: Florida House of Representatives candidate Margo Fischer, District 52.

SHORE ACRES TRAFFIC: 7 p.m. Wednesday. Shore Acres Recreation Center, 4230 Shore Acres Blvd. NE. Topic: final traffic-calming plan.

UPTOWN: 7 p.m. Thursday. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N. Speaker: Mayor David Fischer, annual state-of-city address.

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