Fifth Ave. Plaza Beautification Project Begins Monday

Written by City of Tallahassee

PRESS RELEASE - Road to Temporarily Close Between Thomasville Rd. & N. Gadsden St. The City of Tallahassee will begin construction on the Fifth Avenue Plaza Beautification Project on Monday, Feb. 6. The project will extend from Thomasville Road to North Gadsden Street. The primary intent of this project is to enhance Fifth Avenue by providing some drainage improvements and overall beautification to create a multi-use plaza.

Work will begin at N. Gadsden Street and proceed west toward Thomasville Road. Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by early summer. Construction will normally occur on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited weekend work. A total road closure will be in effect during the majority of the construction period. Access will only be provided to Fifth Avenue residents. Detour routes will be clearly marked.

“Midtown has experienced a renaissance over the past few years, and this project will add another element to further enhance the area,” said Commissioner Mark Mustian, lead commissioner on the Long Range Planning Target Issue Committee. “This project is designed to enhance the quality of life for all Tallahassee residents.”

This project is part of the Placemaking Action Plan undertaken by the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department, as approved by the City Commission. This portion of the plan aims to create a new public space by transforming the street into a multi-use plaza, which will include sidewalks, seating walls, multi-use parking areas, vendor and band hookups, decorative pavement treatments, new gas lights and stylish landscape plantings. While it will still function as a typical street after the project is complete, it will easily transform into a pedestrian plaza for special events by simply closing it to vehicular access.

The construction of this project is being coordinated by the City’s Public Works Department.

Member Comments:

Midtown 7th Avenue Gas Lamps -- midtownman

Sunday, 15 April 2012 22:15

Today the first of a series of gas lamps were placed on 7th avenue in Midtown. This project was identified in the Midtown Action Plan and more lamps will be added throughout Midtown soon. They turned out great! Looking forward to seeing more of these!

Re: Fifth Ave. Plaza Beautification Project Begins Monday -- florida

Friday, 23 March 2012 13:10

I love that mast-arm light in the rendering above. It screams "pedestrians first". Thank you for posting those renderings.

Re: Fifth Ave. Plaza Beautification Project Begins Monday -- midtownman

Thursday, 22 March 2012 12:03

That is not an acurate rendering. That is one of the proposed ideas from a student group that participated in the planning process of the Midtown Action Plan.

The street will be open as usual with no access changes. The plaza is designed to allow for street closures for events and gatherings much like the Amp Up Tallahassee event from the fall of last year.

Sorry I should have gotten this posted sooner but here are a few renderings of the project.

Re: Fifth Ave. Plaza Beautification Project Begins Monday -- florida

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 12:51

Just curious, under this plan, does the parking or access to parking for the Whataburger go away? I notice there is a pedestrian mall that will be placed between the Tallahassee Board of Realtors and where it appears many people park to eat at the What-a-Burger. This isn't a complaint I'm just curious.

I'm also curious to know if some of the artistic elements are going to be implemented under the work that is currently underway or if this is something we can hope for in the future. Speaking specifically about the large purple "flower pots" that appear in the renderings as Thomasville Road gives way to downtown at Calhoun Street.

[attachment=0]Midtown Pedestrian Mall.png[/attachment]