St. Petersburg, Fla. – The city is moving forward with a comprehensive sidewalk master plan aimed at identifying and filling gaps in the existing pedestrian network. The first of a series of webinars was held Tuesday, giving residents a chance to weigh in on the project’s priorities.
Technology and public input guide the plan
The master plan will rely on geographic information system (GIS) technology and aerial imagery to map the current 888 miles of sidewalks and pinpoint the 971 miles of missing connections. Earlier this year, the city gathered feedback from 862 residents through a survey, with the majority indicating that building new sidewalks where none exist should take precedence over upgrades such as curb‑ramp improvements.
Resident priorities
Survey respondents ranked filling sidewalk gaps near schools as the top priority, followed closely by gaps near commercial districts. Community Planning and Preservation Commission member Domenico Pontoriero, who chooses a car‑free lifestyle, highlighted that neighborhoods south of Central Avenue, including Childs Park, Jordan’s Park and Campbell Park, are especially underserved. Tara Hubbard urged the city to consider the environmental benefits of adding trees alongside new sidewalks, noting the comfort, shade, and broader ecological advantages they provide.
Funding sources
Most of the financing is expected to come from St. Petersburg’s Infrastructure Capital Improvement Fund. Additional potential sources include the Florida Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, Forward Pinellas grants, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
Next steps
The city will hold another webinar one week from Tuesday at 6 p.m., focusing on residents in Districts 1, 5, 7 and 8. Officials encourage community members to attend and continue shaping the sidewalk network that will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians across St. Petersburg.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
