Residents in Northwest Jacksonville are one step closer to long-awaited improvements in their community, following the launch of a multimillion-dollar infrastructure project designed to enhance safety, attract new businesses, and improve the quality of life.<\/p>\n
For years, neighbors have voiced concerns about poor lighting, unsafe roads, and the lack of a full-service grocery store. One of the biggest issues has been nighttime visibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the lighting is a huge issue right there when you\u2019re going onto the highway and coming off the highway at night, you really can\u2019t see,\u201d said resident Randall Jackson.<\/p>\n
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<<\/a><\/p>\n Others said the lack of essential services, including access to fresh food, has only added to the challenges.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a food desert, like grocery stores are being closed, \u201d resident Leola Williams said.<\/p>\n City leaders say change is finally on the way.<\/p>\n \u201cToday we are here to celebrate a transformation, an investment one that will reshape this area that is deserving,\u201d said Councilwoman Ju\u2019Coby Pittman.<\/p>\n The King-Soutel Crossing Community Redevelopment Area project totals just over $6 million and focuses on new sidewalks, medians, and frontage upgrades along a 2.2-mile stretch.<\/p>\n The project will roll out in four phases:<\/p>\n Frontage improvements between I\u2013295 and Trout River Boulevard.<\/p>\n New Sidewalks at Corner of MLK and US1<\/p>\n Median Upgrades from Soutel to Trout River Blvd.<\/p>\n New Sidewalks and Crosswalks upgrades<\/p>\n \u201cThe first one we\u2019re in now is the MLK sidewalk, and the second one, probably within 60 days, will be the north frontage and right behind that will be medians,\u201d explained Frank Anderson, VP of Acon Construction.<\/p>\n