This is the way the sidewalks in Franklin Heights are constructed from back in the 50's. I think that before they need to be changed there needs to be a defined need. Want to see better sidewalk use why not educate your children and the others that stream through the neighborhood walking with the traffic, often spanning the entire street to the point of blocking traffic. Why don't parents realize and the school system educate children to the fact that there is a Florida law that says if there is a sidewalk its illegal to walk in the street.

I walk these sidewalks every day, twice a day on the streets you have named and have not seen a person with mobility disabilities here that is compromised in there travel. Come to think of it the only person I have seen with a mobility impairment was walking with a cane. Where is the need for this to spent city money on something that will result in a puddle of water where ramps are for weeks after a rain.

Hi Jackson - thanks for commenting. I've walked our neighborhood, and noted that several corners with the 50's sidewalks have had ramps added over the years, so my request isn't new. Also, mobility impediment isn't the only reason for adding ramps. Right now I have to trample over people's lawns to cross the street, - I'd rather not, but don't have a safer choice.

I have educated my children, but there are many more that walk through our neighborhood. Perhaps it's the danger of walking along 54th that makes them come through our neighborhood; and perhaps because there are no sidewalks in the blocks west of 12th that they're walking in the street. I haven't ever seen any pedestrians blocking traffic (that is, forcing drivers to stop and go another way), and there has been ample room for cars to pass, but less so north of 50th, as you well know, I'm sure. Regardless, I agree it's not ideal that pedestrians and cars share the road.

So, let's change the environment to invite pedestrians onto sidewalks.

The city has already marked 12th as a Greenway for improvement in its 'Complete Streets' plan for the next 2-5 years. I'm sure you've already seen improvements around the city for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. I've learned a crosswalk is planned across 54th at 12th; I'll find out if sidewalk improvements on 12th are a part of the plan, too. These are good, long-term investments that make our city better for all of us.

Orlando-

No you are wrong about the addition of crosswalks on the original Franklin Heights sidewalks that have a curved corner- there are non except on MLK. No, your justification for children walking in the streets in not well founded when sidewalks are present.

I am a pedestrian and I use the sidewalks throughout this area to walk my dogs several times a day without needing a paved area which will then need a ramp that will then collect water when it rains. I don't see any dead grass at these locations that you seem concerned with. Simply put- there is no need to spend money where its not needed.

As for the "Complete Streets" program- after the travesty of MLK St. N. with a single lane between 30th and 5th Ave. the streets department has proved to me that they don't care anything about us but have an agenda that the bobble heads on city council will approve regardless of the practicality They ignored all of the concerns by business people at multiple meetings. I am an avid cyclist that rides more miles in a week than most people ride in a year and think that bike lanes first go where people are cycling and not where the streets department egotists want them.

Hi Jackson,
Actually, there are ramps at the corner of 50th and 12th, and a few others along 50th and 49th. There are more scattered about.
I'm providing an explanation, not a justification, for children's behavior. There's no one answer to the problem.
I was raised by my parents to not walk on other people's lawns. It takes work and money to maintain a nice lawn, and one must respect that.
There are actually single and double lanes between 30th and 5th, depending on which stretch and which direction one travels. And the council responded to business concerns by delaying construction, holding additional hearings, and having city professionals visit each location to meet in person. It was interesting to learn that the City had contacted businesses in 2017, which makes me wonder about those people who say they were 'left out'. I do know businesses didn't get everything that they wanted, which is different from saying they were ignored. You can read all about the MLK project here: http://www.stpete.org/transportation/complete_streets.php.

You probably already know about the "Tour de MLK" going on Saturday - perhaps you should participate - you can register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-de-mlk-tickets-51964733918

If you can't, I'd be happy to take you on a drive and we can talk about Complete Streets along the way. Let me know.

I don't like putting anybody down - especially our elected officials and public servants, be they clerks, sanitation workers, law enforcement, anyone really. St Pete is better than it was when I first came in 2005, and continues getting better, thanks to their work and dedication.

Again, let me know if you'd like to drive down MLK with me, or maybe take a walk around our neighborhood and see what we can make better together.

Thanks.
Orlando

Orlando,
The ramps at the corner of 50th and 12th are not in the true Franklin Heights track being addressed.

I was not saying that people should walk on laws, I was pointing out that children walk in the direction of the traffic in the street often taking up the entire street when sidewalks are available and the fact that state statute says its a violation to walk in the street when there is a sidewalk available.

Complete Streets is a boondoggle title that can be put on anything and get approval from Council member Rice by her own statements. We need more bike paths but not by sacrificing the proper and free flow of vehicular traffic. Maybe we can title the next sewage project as a Complete Streets Project and get our sewer problems solved. What about the sewage that flowed down the very same streets originally addressed in this post? We still get a portable pump in the 1000 block of 52nd Ave. N. before any projected rain- so the problem is not really fixed. Did you get that sewage in your bathtub like some of my neighbors...it should be a complete streets goal...move the you know what around.

As to this traffic jam in front of my office each day in the 2500 block of MLK...I have witnessed out my front storefront no fewer than 3 rear end collisions in this block due to the lone single line of traffic that sometimes goes all the way to 30th Ave. N. This is a disaster. You want bike lanes and I want them in appropriate places- not here. The street departments presentations were pure bunk and the examples they used for justification do not hold up when you compare population density, zoning here versus there, automobile ownership within a half mile of the street, and on and on. The mayor wants more awards for bike lanes and plastic straw art instead of land fill and other meaningless awards that some well paid staff member finds for him to tout so we don't think about the sewer problem or dumping in the bay or the pier project that is so sealed off from public view that we should have forgotten it exists (but we have not and we have noticed the cost overruns that the bobble head council sees as necessary because we are so committed.)

NO I did not receive notice of losing a lane back in 2017 only that it was to be resurfaced. I am an avid cyclist and I am active in the community. They really did not tell us and they did not offer a fair effort to truly be heard by anyone that mattered...break them in small groups and discount what they say is the method of this city administration. Sorry Orlando...i will not tie a yellow ribbon around anything you have said.

Hi Jackson,

I'm interested in your stats - can you share, please, or tell me where I can get them?

Franklin Heights isn't in the neighborhood association listing with CONA or the city, which may be needlessly confusing our discussion. I'm using Euclid Heights as listed and described on the city's website and CONA.

I've been in this neighborhood for four months, in St Pete since 2005, and a 2015 graduate of LSP - I've never heard of you. We should meet.

Thanks.
Orlando