The City of Oldsmar is looking into the feasibility of building a pedestrian overpass at an intersection of Tampa Road after receiving a state Department of Economic Opportunity grant.
Officials informed the Oldsmar City Council during its meeting on September 3 that after receiving the $25,000 grant, they conducted analyses and collected data to learn where the best location for such a structure would be.
According to planning department administrator Michelle Parisano, the options were narrowed down to three Tampa Road intersections: at St. Petersburg Drive, at Bayview Boulevard and at Forest Lakes Boulevard; further research narrowed the location down to one spot.
“Tampa Road and St. Petersburg Drive was the preferred location,” Parisano informed the council, citing the fact that the City owns the land on one side of the intersection and the area can easily accommodate an overpass.
“I like it.” Mayor Doug Bevis said. “It ties into our CRA and encourages development.”
“I like the location,” Council member Dan Saracki added. “And I like the design of it.”
“There’s a lot of good points to the site,” Council member Linda Foley Norris said. “I think it’s the best spot for it.”
The mayor added that if they decide to build it, he would like the structure to have a pleasing aesthetic that fits in with the surrounding area.
“Some of the ones I’ve seen in the area look like you’re crossing from one prison yard to another prison yard over a road,” he said.
Parisano said the overpass, which would be 12-feet wide, have a minimum height clearance of 17-feet, 6-inches and cost approximately $3 million, would be designed to fit in with the Tampa Road corridor.
“We wanted a more open feeling, not as enclosed,” she said.
The council agreed to allow officials to continue researching the project, but cautioned they would only be in favor of building it if more grant money came in.
“If we were to get funded for it, I’d be in favor of it,” Council member Eric Seidel said. “I see the value to it.”
“I think it’s got great potential for us, if we can push the state for funding, or some other source,” Mayor Bevis said. “It’s not a huge amount when you talk about the huge amounts they approve.”
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