FSU-FDOT Long Range Transportation Study A Success In Fort White – Lake City Languishes
November 27, 2023 10:10 am | 3 min read | Part III: Part I | Part II | Part III
Clerk of the Courts Jay Swisher and son
William rank the transportation projects as
FSU Planner Peyton Russo looks on. | Columbia
County Observer photo & graphic
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The Federally funded FSU-FDOT long-range Columbia County Transportation study had its final wrap-up sessions earlier in the month on November 8. Even though it was clear that all the interest for the study was in the County's south end, the Florida Department of Transportation would not cancel the second Lake City meeting, directing folks instead to Fort White.
Early in the meeting, the tables were filling up
as folks came from Columbia and Alachua counties
to weigh in and provide input for the
transportation study. +++ click to enlarge
The first Lake City meeting was a bust, with one attendee from the general public, and the second meeting did not fare much better. North Florida Professional Service's Dale Williams again attended, along with one person from the Florida Department of Transportation. Three people from the general public attended.
Fort White Mayor Ronnie Frazier talks with High
Springs City Commissioner Tristan Grunder and
Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler.
With growth in the starting blocks in Fort White and South Columbia County and traffic along the US27-SR20 corridor through Fort White and into High Springs becoming a major bottleneck, interest was high for the second meeting in Fort White.
Folks in the County's South End were high on mobility projects such as a bike path from High Springs to Fort White along US27-SR20.
The bike path was a possibility a few years ago. Alachua County's bike path team was willing to work with Columbia County; state money was available for the engineering and possible construction. Columbia County put the kibosh on the bike path, letting it be known that even if Columbia County obtained the bike path for free, it would not pay to maintain it.
It was date night for County residents Molly
Block and Donald Wayne Ragans who came to the
meeting to contribute to the future planning of
the County. Ms. Block said, "We've been married
for over 20 years; could you take our picture?"
Providing public transportation in Lake City, as well as Fort White, was talked about. In the past, The Suwannee Valley Transit Authority made limited attempts with grant money and its own money a couple of times. Without experts in planning, public transportation, advertising and marketing the projects were doomed to failure, and they did.
The Fort White meeting had folks attending from all over the South End of the County and also people from Lake City and Alachua County.
County Commissioner Rocky Ford, one of the commissioners for the South End, showed up before the official opening. He left at 6:27 pm with a survey in his hand. The official opening time was 6:30 pm. These days, Commissioner Ford is not anxious to meet with his Fort White-South Columbia County constituents.
The Fort White Town Council came to the meeting
after its workshop.
Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler attended. High Springs is in her district. There are severe traffic issues in High Springs. High Springs City Commissioner Tristan Grunder attended, as did a couple of High Springs staff.
The Fort White Town Council arrived in masse after an evening workshop. The Council members took the tour, sat down with Horsepower Kitchen’s cuisine, and completed the ranking forms.
The Project Ranking Packet is here. At this time there does not appear to be an online form. However, you will be able to see the different types of projects that were suggested.
County Commissioners Tim Murphy and Robbie Hollingsworth were absent from this meeting and the one in Lake City. Commissioner Phillips attended the previous meeting in Fort White.
Everyone gave the FSU team high marks. The results of the study are forthcoming.
Epilogue
Clerk of the Courts Jay Swisher drove down from Lake City with his son William. As the photos show, William was involved in ranking the projects until his strawberry won out.
Clerk Swisher told your reporter, "This is really great; I'm glad I came."
