Complete Street" Project Gets Extension to DeSoto Mall

Sarasota -- At the September 23 MPO meeting, board members approved a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for a 5-year, $8.2 million makeover of 15th Street East into a "Complete Street" FDOT Project. Commissioners requested extending the project further north to 44th Avenue. FDOT decided to take corridor improvements all the way to U.S. 41, next to the DeSoto Mall.

The September PD&E approval was for a three-mile stretch between Tallevast Rd and 53rd Ave (SR 70) East of 15th Street East . The plan is to convert three miles of urban  roadway into a three-lane Complete Street connector. 

Artist Rendition

A Complete Street project equips highways with bike lanes, sidewalks, lighting, pedestrian crossings and room for public transit pick-up and drop-off zones. 

After the September presentation, Manatee County Commissioner Larry Bustle motioned for a formal request to be sent to FDOT from the MPO members, asking them to extend the project further north to 44th Avenue East. The motion was seconded by Manatee County Commissioner John Chappie and approved unanimously by the MPO board. 

FDOT considered a adaptation to the 44th Avenue request, and instead of traveling straight north, FDOT's suggestion travels northwest from 53rd Avenue and 15th Street East, to U.S. 41 via 301 Blvd East.

At last Monday's MPO meeting, members approved the FDOT adaptation to the MPO's request, and approved unanimously the PD&E extension to U.S. 41 and 301 Blvd East.