Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. (TOA), on behalf of the City of Groveland will be conducting public involvement activities throughout the Crittenden Street Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study.  These activities are geared toward soliciting input regarding potential alternatives that if implemented could improve upon travel in this corridor.  Whether you are a resident, business owner or visitor to the area your suggestions are welcomed and encouraged throughout this study.  The public involvement effort will consist of: county/city staff meetings, Board of County Commission Meetings and public workshops.  The comments received from all meetings will be evaluated and incorporated into the final three alternatives developed for Crittenden Road as appropriate.   The three alternatives will be presented to the public at a future date at which time the public will be asked to confer and build consensus around one final recommendation for the improvement of Crittenden Street.  Your participation is vital to the success of this study.  Ensure that you receive the most update information by joining the mailing list.

The staff kickoff meeting was held August 8, 2006.  This meeting provided an opportunity for the City of Groveland and TOA staff to meet and discuss the goals and objectives of the study process including a proactive public involvement initiative.  The primary outcome of this meeting included the following:

• Consideration of the Downtown Visioning Study recommendation to relocate SR50 to the north and the potential affects this might have on Crittenden Street
• Identifying the character of future land use and traffic circulation
• Continuing public information and involvement to keep the community informed of progress during the PD&E study
• Complete thorough analysis of existing conditions
• At the request of city staff a City Council presentation for this study will be provided when the three alternatives are developed
• Ensure recommendation is best possible solution for overall community benefit and future needs.

The first public meeting for the Crittenden Street PD&E study was held Tuesday, September 19, 2006 from 5:00 – 7:00pm.  The meeting was held at the Womens Club Building, Lake David Park, 450 South Lake Ave. Groveland, FL 34736.  An overview of the meeting is provided below: 

The meeting was opened and individuals were given the opportunity to review map boards of the study corridor, right of way and utility location maps.  During this time, the study team was available to answer questions one on one.   

A presentation was given by George Flanagan, Project Manager and Senior Engineer on the Crittenden Street Project Development and Environment Study.  Click here to view the meeting presentation.  The presentation focused on key issues, current traffic patterns, incorporation of the downtown visioning process into the overall alternatives, accommodating growth, improving mobility, the study schedule and next steps.

Some of the discussion stemming from public questions included:

• Intersection improvements;
• Alleviations of downtown traffic;
• Consideration of the South Trail project; and
• Construction level impacts if an alternative is advanced.

The second public meeting for the Crittenden Street PD&E Study was held on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.  The meeting was held at the Puryear Building/Community Center.  An overview of the meeting is provided below:
 
 
The open house began at 5:00 PM with individuals reviewing the handouts and display graphics.  Staff were on-hand to answer questions one-on-one prior to the presentation.  At 5:30 PM, Teresa Greenham of the City and George Flanagan of Tindale-Oliver & Associates conducted the presentation.  Click here to view the meeting presentation.  The presentation included a brief background review of the project, and detailed discussion of each of the alternatives.  An evaluation matrix was also presented.  Some of the discussion during and following the presentation included:
 

1. It is important to fully coordinate improvements on Crittenden Street with the ongoing new city hall planning efforts.
2. It is imperative to reduce heavy truck traffic through the downtown area.
3. The long term vision of relocating SR 50 to the north of Crittenden Street will be very, very, very expensive.
4. FDOT must abide by their established policies with respect to the diversion of trucks onto any roadway that is not a state roadway.
5. Truck volumes along SR 50 in downtown Groveland are estimated to increase from 6200 daily trips in 2006 to more than 8000 daily trips in 2025.
6. Eastbound trucks turning left to go north on SR 19 create safety and operational issues due to the poor intersection geometry.
7. Crittenden Street needs to be improved even without addressing the truck issue.

Please attend our next meeting, the Public Hearing on August 20, 2007, to listen to and comment on the Preliminary Recommendations for this study.  There will be a 2-week comment period following the Public Hearing before the City Council makes the final recommendation.  

The August 2007 Public Hearing is the last scheduled meeting for this project.