Council reviews Broadway Avenue West design under tight HMGP grant schedule; staff recommends mix of rural and urban sections

At a workshop March 18 staff and consultant Jesse Gill of CW3 Engineering updated the Village Council on the Broadway Avenue West safety, drainage and pedestrian improvements, a roughly 1.6‑mile corridor project funded by an HMGP grant with strict completion timelines.

Jesse Gill said the tight federal/state grant schedule prevents adding right‑of‑way in many locations because that would trigger additional environmental review and add six to nine months. "We don't have the flexibility to go outside the right of way ... that would make us miss the grant requirements," he said, noting narrow rights of way in parts of the corridor and constraints where mobile home communities sit close to the back of curb.

The consultant presented two cross‑section options (urban curb‑and‑gutter and rural flush shoulder). Staff recommended a rural option through the Quarterdeck Cove enclave to respect resident concerns and gopher tortoise burrows there, and an urban section through the remaining corridor to provide safety, consistent driver expectations and speed‑calming. The typical sidewalk proposed is 6 feet wide; staff said a "multi‑use" (bicycle + pedestrian) facility would require roughly 10 feet and is not feasible in constrained segments.

Council questioned pedestrian crossing treatments at Pine Tree (staff proposed a three‑way stop to create a controlled crossing) and asked about pedestrian counts and lighting. Jesse said pedestrian counts are underway and that full corridor lighting would raise the budget; staff noted the urban option is more expensive but offers a safety edge. The project will proceed to 60% design and staff expects to return for updates in May/June in order to meet grant milestones.

Council did not take a formal vote on a design change during the workshop; staff sought direction and public‑feedback incorporation as design advances.