South Magnolia Avenue in downtown Ocala will close for several months next year to complete a mobility improvement project.
- Project will cost $275,000
- Will include wider sidewalks, lighting enhancements
- "Walk of Fame" feature will be added
On Tuesday, officials with the City of Ocala held two informational sessions to talk about the $275,000 project. It will include wider sidewalks, lighting enhancements, seating areas and 200 feet of brick pavement.
"Brick tends to have a traffic calming effect," said Assistant City Manager Ken Whitehead. "People slow down, the rumbling that you hear tends to slow people down."
Officials said they will use new brick along with some 100-year-old brick to complete the project. The street will need to close to vehicles for 90 to 120 days starting in March.
In addition, old trees will be removed and a 'Walk of Fame' feature will be added.
The city hopes to have the project completed in June. The money for the project, according those at Tuesday's session, comes from a community redevelopment area tax.
Project Q and A:
Q: How long it will take?
A: About 4 months (March 2017-June 2017)
Q: How much it will cost?
A: $275,000
Q: How many businesses will be impacted?
A: About five
Q: How many blocks it will affect?
A: One block
Q: How many seating areas will be added?
A: Two
Q: How many new lighting fixtures will they install?
A: Three
Q: How much brick pavement will they install?
A: 200 feet
Q: How many trees will be removed?
A: 14, but five will be replaced
Q: How much wider will the new sidewalks be?
A: Sidewalks will go from 5 feet to 11-18 feet in width.