County sidewalk needs repair

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

September 1, 2015 5:25 p.m.

At the August 27, 2015, Joint City-County meeting, City Commissioner Robin Lentz brought a heavily used county sidewalk described as unsafe and in close proximity to schools to the attention of Nassau County officials. Lentz who lives near the area, is asking for a solution. The asphalt sidewalk is overgrown with shrubs and crumbling. Although repairs made in February offered slight improvement, the sidewalk continues to be a hazard. Lentz was told by a school administrator that a wheelchair bound student required the aid of a motorist after becoming stranded on the deteriorating sidewalk.

Lentz asked if county engineers could take a look at the situation, and propose a solution. She suggested funding options such as including the area in proposed extensions of the Amelia Island and Greenway bike trails.

Ted Selby, county coordinator, said after reviewing the site with County Engineer Scott Herring, the project might be a much larger project than first meets the eye. He is willing to look into the possibilities of linking the area with proposed trails.

Mayor Ed Boner who also lives in the area, echoed Letnz’s concern over the sidewalk. He said the sidewalk is not being maintained to allow for safe passage. Although 36 inches wide, the sidewalk passage becomes narrower because of the existing conditions.

County Commissioner Danny Leeper said he agrees the sidewalk needs to be edged and the growth trimmed back. Responding to a request by Lentz for the need of lighting during certain times of the year, Leeper said, “the county has never paid for any street lighting.” He suggested that the lightning request be worked out with the school board.

Phil Scanlan, CEO of Amelia Island Trails spoke to the issue of funding noting the state has 25 million in new state money beginning January 1 for trails in Florida.

City Commissioner Pat Gass said “If sidewalks are in bad repair and need fixing then the 10 of us should be ashamed because that is our job seeing these things get done and we need to direct those that work for us take care of that."

"I can appreciate the fact they need to be repaired. But as bad as this may be . . . the ADA person [in reference to the wheelchair incident] living in old town can’t even get downtown.” . . . . There are people on Old Town [an other adjacent areas] who would love to have . . . . safe access to Atlantic Ave. . . ." Gass goes on to say, "Let’s repair what we’ve got and take good care of it and get grant money so that Old Town can get downtown before downtown moves further south.” Gass is an Old Town resident.

County Commissioner George Spicer who spoke after Gass said we need sidewalks all over the county. “The whole county needs some TLC, and some maintenance. We choose to live where we live.”