REVITALIZATION PLANS -- Because Tallahassee lies South of of the Southwest Georgia region, this Southwest Georgia Interstate Study is very interesting as it uncovers the economic, demographic, and transportation characteristics of the region as planners explore the feasibility of constructing a new Interstate Highway through this area.

This report summarizes the planning recommendations to increase the quality of the pedestrian environment in the core downtown area of Tallahassee. The plan was initiated by the Tallahassee Downtown improvement Authority (TDIA) in January of 2004. The TDIA is responsible for the coordination of activities and projects that promote business vitality in downtown Tallahassee. Over the years, the TDIA business members have voiced concerns over the lack of pedestrian activity in the downtown and the resulting negative affects on the business environment. Some of the issues that have surfaced pertain to: poor handicap accessibility, pedestrian un-friendly sidewalks, high-speed traffic at pedestrian crossings, lack of pedestrian activity around government buildings, visitor disorientation, lack of entertainment and retail venues, and terrain impediments. Most importantly, private reinvestment in the core area has been very slow over the past several decades. As a result of all these variables, the TDIA has been in the process of initiating strategies to reignite private investment.

Official Website: Regional Transit Study Website
Transit provides our region a solution that can reduce our national dependence on foreign oil, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and provide a wider range of mobility options. As the region continues to grow, there is an increasing need to expand transit services to outlying parts of Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties and to coordinate urban and rural transit services.
The Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) has completed a Regional Transit Study (RTS) for the CRTPA region (Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties). The CRTPA and its planning partners undertook the RTS to help guide the future of public transportation in the region. As the region continues to grow, there is an increasing need to develop a long term transit vision within Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties and to coordinate urban and rural transit services. Recommendations from the study were compiled into a Transit Service Plan, a summary of which is presented in this newsletter. The full study report and background data are available on the study website (www.crtpa.org).

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Because of increased traffic, the Tallahassee-Leon County Long-Range Transportation Plan identified Tharpe Street as needing enhanced roadway capacity. The need to accommodate other modes of travel such as bicycles, pedestrians, and transit was also identified in the plan.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The corridor study involves the study of existing and future conditions to Tharpe Street from just east of Capital Circle, N.W. to just west of Ocala Road in Leon County, within City of Tallahassee limits. The total length of the project is about 2.5 miles. Within the project limits, Tharpe Street is a two-lane roadway with varying rights-of-way, as follows:
Address: 1978 Village Green Way, Tallahassee, FL 32308 St
Location: Florida State University Main Campus Tallahassee
This report summarizes the planning recommendations to inc
Proposed Urban Village development along Gaines Street. U