TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors discussed the status of the Northwest Connector Corridor Project and the possibility of making it a higher priority on the list of projects the organization has.
One member said the board has spent millions of dollars on a dead-end project while other projects are waiting for funding.
“I feel like the way that we’re conducting business with relative to the Airport Gateway is out of order,” Board Member Christian Caban said.
The Airport Gateway Project aims to improve connectivity and safety on the roadways in Tallahassee and southwestern Leon County.
One component of this is a new roadway from Orange Avenue to Stuckey Avenue, dubbed Segment C.
Caban handed out alleged emails of his communication with state officials about using the state-owned land for that purpose.
“I’m also reading here that they have no intention of even seeing this through, or be put on an agenda in the Cabinet,” Caban said. “And they don’t recommend approving it. So, Segment C is dead.”
Caban said staff should reallocate some of that money to projects like the Tharpe Street project. Some board members, however, wanted to verify the contents of those documents and clarification on whether the allocation would really help.
“How would that accelerate the project?” Board Member Carolyn Cummings asked. “Because it takes time to do right-of-way, it takes time if we have to do eminent domain.”
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The reallocated money would not change when construction will begin, but more of the project would be constructed, and completion of it will be expedited.
“If we get $20 million from Segment C to Tharpe Street, that helps us with construction,” said Board Member Rick Minor. “Both in terms of the scope of the project as well as potentially the timeline of the project”
The Tharpe Street Project will begin the design and permitting phase later this year, with construction estimated to start in 2030.
The board unanimously voted to make their decision on what to do with the Tharpe Street Project and the Airport Gateway Project after they verify the information they received at the meeting in their next meeting.
Blueprint Chair Curtis Richardson reviewed their options.
“If we’re going to abandon Segment C of the project and reprioritize those dollars for the Tharpe Street Project or if we’re going to continue with the Airport Gateway as initially envisioned.”
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