Main Street Corridor Streetscape Project

Johnson Engineering (Johnson) has been selected as the Consultant to prepare a site plan for the design improvements to the streetscape of Main Street (E 2nd St to 9th St).    The project will consist of conceptual site planning and engineering/design services, permitting, preparation of construction documents and construction oversight services for streetscape enhancements consisting of hardscape and landscape renovation and improvements of the Main Street corridor as a pedestrian friendly street.          

The objective is to emphasize safe walking and bicycling, promote downtown revitalization, litter abatement, incorporate design elements to discourage loitering, and improve control of the existing chicken population within the boundaries of the project.         

Johnson provided a Proposal on July 15, 2022 in the amount of $212,598. A Notice to Proceed was issued to Johnson on September 1, 2022 for design plans to be completed within 10 – 12 months.  A Kick-Off meeting and Site Visit with Johnson’s design team and CRA Staff was held on September 26, 2022. Johnson scheduled three Public Meetings.  Meeting #1 was held on November 16, 2022 at 9AM with the Joint CRA & MSTU Advisory Boards and the Public to develop a wish list to utilize on the design of the conceptual plans.

Public Meeting #2 for the community was held on February 15, 2023 at 5PM at CareerSource, 750 S. 5th Street, Immokalee. Johnson gathered data and input from the community.  The Community  reviewed  Meeting #2’s Presentation and completed  Comment Cards. Johnson provided Minutes of Public Meeting #2 to the Immokalee CRA on March 11, 2023.  

Johnson incorporated the  public comments into the design concept that was presented at the Joint CRA & MSTU Hybrid Public Meeting on March 15, 2023 at 9AM at CareerSource.  This was the third Public Meeting by Johnson with the Community. Johnson reviewed options for the design.  A Survey was shared at the meeting for the selection of (1) hardscape options for sidewalks and roadway accents at the crosswalks on Main Street at 1st and 9th, (2) furnishing options for benches, trash receptacles, bike racks and planters, (3) additional amenities for shade structures, (4) a mid-block crossing control fence, and (5) landscape improvements.

Johnson incorporated the results of the options selected in the Surveys into the plan and then provided the County with the  preliminary hardscape plans on June 1, 2023.

There was a Pre-Application Meeting on July 18, 2023 with Johnson, CRA Staff and FDOT to receive comments from FDOT on  the design plans. CRA Staff walked Main Street with Johnson Representatives to identify opportunities for improvements to the corridor on July 26, 2023. Johnson and the CRA are collaborating to explore options for the best course of action.  With the  expansion of SR29 from Oil Well Road to SR82 (FDOT’s Loop Road), the Loop Road Study was included in the Moving Florida Forward State funding; and being an expediated project by FDOT, it paved the way for Main Street to be turned over to the County and enabling a more ambitious reconstruction of the downtown of Immokalee. The Loop Road will serve as an alternative route around Immokalee. It follows existing SR29 from Oil Well Road to north of Seminole Crossing Trail, north along the west side of the Immokalee Airport, turns NW past Gopher Ridge Road to parallel Madison Avenue and New Market Roading, then reconnecting to SR29 north of Westclox/New Market Road traveling along SR29 to SR82. The Loop Road is proposed to be a four-lane divided roadway widening the travel lanes from 11’ to 12’ with curb and gutter on both sides and sidewalks and/or 12’ shared-use pathways. Roundabouts are being designed for CR 846, Gopher Ridge Road and New Market Road and nine (9) pond sites are being added for stormwater runoff.

 On August 22, 2023, Johnson provided a sightline overlay map and on August 31, 2023 they provided a Cost Estimate for the Project of $1,945,440.83. A suspend work order had been issued to Johnson while awaiting progress on the Loop Road. Staff are exploring the opportunities and investigating contracting constraints for the possibility of a revised scope of work for Johnson to finalize plans for a better and more transformative project and improve our community’s quality of life.  The project is on hold until further progress is completed on the Loop Road which Phase I and 2 are currently under design. FDOT’s Project Manager presented an update and 7-minute video (www.SR29Collier.com) on the Loop Road Project to the Immokalee CRA on April 17, 2024 and held Public Workshops with the project team on April 18, 2024 and April 23, 2024 for the community. On July 16, 2024, the Loop Road Project Manager made a presentation to the East of 951 Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on the status of the Loop Road design. A public meeting for the design segments is tentatively scheduled for 2025. The PD&E commenced in June 2007 and was approved June 19, 2024 by FDOT Office of Environmental Management.    

On April 1, 2025 Collier County Transportation Engineering Division circulated FDOT Plans for review of Loop Road for the segment of SR29 from S of New Market Road to ST 82. Comments are due April 18, 2025.  Staff is proposing to budget funds in FY2026 and thereafter so the funds are available for the Main Steet Streetscape Project when FDOT conveys a portion of the existing SR29 (Main Street) to the County after the completion of the Loop Road Project.