First Street Corridor Improvements

In 2020, Q. Grady Minor & Associates, P.A (Grady Minor) was hired to provide professional services for future street lighting and pedestrian safety improvements along South First Street (from Main Street to School Road/Seminole Crossing Trail). 

 This work included feasibility studies and conceptual plans for the purpose of relocating existing decorative light poles, considering the future street lighting and pedestrian safety improvements. Additionally, it included reviewing and providing recommendations for the location of new pedestrian crosswalks, and the location of new landscape and hardscape elements. Estimated construction costs and long-term maintenance costs were included with the feasibility studies.

  In 2021, Grady Minor provided the final Conceptual Plan Report that recommends the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the three crosswalks and 11 additional Collier County Traffic Operations light poles. ICRA Staff had coordinated with Collier County Traffic Operations and Public Transit during the development of the conceptual plan and their input was reflected in the final conceptual plans. 

Additional sidewalk connection on the east side of South First Street from the bus stop located south of Carver Street to Eustis Avenue will be evaluated during the design phase of this project. The estimated cost for the design is $250,000 and Staff applied for a Community Development Block Grant on 2.10.22 and anticipate a decision on the award in the near future pending the Collier County Board of County Commissioner's (BCC) approval on 6.28.22.  The request will be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners in the amount of $250,000 in CDBG funds for safety improvements.  The recommendation is also pending State and Federal final award.  If awarded funding will be available in October 2022. 

 Staff initiated the Engineer Selection Process for a Proposal for the preparation of design plans.   Having 100% design plans for will allow this project to be considered shovel ready will better position the CRA to leverage funds with other funding opportunities for construction.