Gaines Transformation Moves Into Second Phase

Last Updated on Thursday, 12 January 2012 15:40

Written by City of Tallahassee

PRESS RELEASE -- One-Way Westbound Traffic Starts Monday. The wide sidewalks, beautiful landscaping and road changes that have transformed Gaines Street and brought new visitors and customers to the area will be expanded as construction on the second phase begins on Monday, Jan. 16.

A new traffic pattern is set to begin after the morning rush hour on Monday. Gaines Street will again become a one-way westbound roadway in the new construction area from S. Macomb Street to Woodward Avenue. Eastbound traffic will be detoured at Woodward Avenue north to St. Augustine Street, which is an existing eastbound only corridor. Signage will be in place to assist motorists with the new traffic pattern.

“Throughout this project, the community has been fantastic, especially the business community along Gaines Street,” said City Commissioner Mark Mustian, who was designated by the commission as the lead commissioner on the Gaines Street Project. “We not only want motorists to be alerted to the traffic changes, we also want to ask the community to continue to shop, eat and utilize businesses in this area. The changes on Gaines are unprecedented in Tallahassee and are making it a true destination district,” he added.

The initial work will be focused on the 500 block of Gaines Street and the intersection of Gaines Street and Railroad Avenue, as these businesses were also impacted by the first phase of construction.

“We want to lessen the impact in this area as much as possible and anticipate having this first part of the work substantially completed in approximately 120 days,” said Gabriel Menendez, director of Public Works for the City. He added that every effort will be made through the entire project to maintain access to businesses.

The first segment runs approximately 750 feet from S. Macomb Street west through the intersection of Gaines Street and Railroad Avenue. The second segment, which will be started after the first segment is substantially completed, will continue the corridor's transformation west to Stone Valley Way.

The initial construction work will take place on the south side of the street (eastbound lanes), and the north side (westbound lanes) will remain open to traffic. A map of the new traffic pattern is available on Talgov.com/Gaines. Motorists are asked to allow more time for their travels in the affected areas and exercise caution on all roadways.

Construction during Phase 2 will include:

Reducing the number of traffic lanes from four to two;
Replacing curb, gutter and sidewalks, including wider sidewalks in many places to encourage pedestrian activity;
Repaving the street;
Upgrading traffic signals;
Adding median islands and landscaping, including constructing rain gardens where possible;
Installing enhanced crosswalks (both at signalized and mid-block locations);
Installing special lighting and street signs to designate the Gaines Street District; and
Maximizing the availability of on-street parking.
As part of the Gaines Street Revitalization Plan, Gaines Street is being rebuilt from a 2-way, 4-lane road to a 2-way, 2-lane street with limited on-street parking from Monroe Street to Woodward Avenue. The work along Gaines Street is part of the City Commission’s goal to create an 18-hour, pedestrian friendly downtown. During the coming years, as the economy improves and development demand increases, this vital link between both area universities and downtown will become an urban corridor with public art displays, businesses and live/work spaces.

In summer 2011, work was completed on similar improvements between Monroe and Macomb streets. Also, work has already taken place to replace deteriorating underground utilities infrastructure primarily between Railroad and Woodward avenues, and a portion of the electric lines along the corridor have been relocated.

Member Comments:

Re: Gaines Transformation Moves Into Second Phase -- downtownster

Sunday, 13 May 2012 22:20

"stjoe" wrote:

very curious as to what is going to be built at the Sallie property.

From City Commission agenda: "The North American Properties proposal covers three properties in the greater Gaines Street district, two of which front Gaines Street. The proposed development for the former Salie property consists of 248 student residential units, 13,000 square feet of retail space and a 464-space parking garage. The proposal for the former Ferguson site consists of 124 student residential units, nearly 14,000 square feet of retail space and a 245-space parking structure. Together, the construction costs for the two proposals are approximately $45.0 million. The proposed developments are undergoing pre-submittal reviews at this time. North American Properties is expected to ask for CRA assistance but has not done so at this time."

Re: Gaines Transformation Moves Into Second Phase -- stjoe

Sunday, 29 January 2012 09:38

very curious as to what is going to be built at the Sallie property.

New Gaines Street project -- midtownman

Monday, 23 January 2012 15:41

The Sallie property (former late night library) is up for sale this week at the city Commission. The purchase price is $3.6 Million. Slated for major development delivered in 2013.

http://www.talgov.com/commission/meetin ... 25/12.html

Re: Gaines Transformation Moves Into Second Phase -- sdk1941

Thursday, 19 January 2012 09:58

If I remember correctly in one of FSUs master plan updates they had the realligning of that intersection to make it an actual 4 way stop light, but I'm not sure where that is right now. It would certainly make sense to direct traffic away from Gaines to St. AUGUSTINE

Re: Gaines Transformation Moves Into Second Phase -- ereckson

Thursday, 19 January 2012 09:03

While the work on Gaines Street is being done, has consideration been given to allow northbound traffic on Lake Bradford Road to proceed north by Doak Campbell Stadium (like it used to) and allowing that traffic to turn onto St. Augustine Road, without having to go onto Gaines & Woodward? Without it, the current afternoon traffic in that area is a mess.