Besides the 1/2 million bucks given to Publix to come into our downtown, we also gave them a big concession to ensure success and driver access to the store-- voting on the change of 2nd Avenue North street from one way to two ways. In order for 2nd Avenue North to become a two-way street, Lake Worth must have the proper railroad crossing guards. We don't. Consequently the FEC has forced us to close the crossing at the railroad tracks until the proper guards are installed.
Train accidents are far more likely to kill a motorist or pedestrian today because trains are typically operating at higher speeds than a decade ago.
I learned that it is Lake Worth's responsibility to pay for the proper railroad crossing gates. The price first quoted by the FEC was $110,000 and now it is up to $235,000 and change according to Joe Kroll, our Public Works Director. Joe has told the FEC that we do not have the funds budgeted so the City will be forced to continue with one-way operations until such time money is found in the Budget. The Budget usually has money in the CIP for situations such as this. Joe said that he normally appropriates $175,000 a year for general maintenance.In the meantime, the permits have cleared and other work done to make this a two-way street. It's just a matter of the City coming up for air and "finding" the money.
Mr. Kroll has tendered his resignation after having worked for the City for the past four years with a salary of $119,995 a year. Many of his duties were re-assigned to the new Leisure Services Department. He will be leaving the City of Lake Worth at the end of October to work in private enterprise. Jaime Brown, Engineer, is taking on Joe's responsibilities until they find a permanent replacement.
6 comments:
Not to mention that they took away hundreds of parking spots by making it two way and displacing hundreds of spaces where people used to park their cars along this street with no notice to residents who live in this area.They have a west bound bike trail on 2nd Ave north now and one west bound on Lucenre, just one block away, it just doesn't make sense, they could have at least left some parking for us on at least one side of the street. We have tons of bike trails now on all our streets, but people still ride their bikes on the sidewalks, there is so much waste and no real comprehensive thought on all these decisions that are made in this city, I blame the city manager and our elected officials, they hold the ultimate power and are making a lot of big mistakes and caving into bib business, like Publix, it is so typical of our government. I will not vote for any of them any more.
The CM forced him to get the heck out. As you said, his authority was reduced and it was just a matter of time. He made the right decision.
2nd ave no. has always been very narrow.All the way from Golfview Rd. to the Seaboard RR tracks. Parking has always been a problem on that street.Remove the Bike lane.The crossing doesnt need to be widened.Lucerne Ave. can handle all the necessary traffic.I`m surprised they dont want to build the bridge over the Seaboard tracks again.Install a traffic counter to see how much traffic actually uses that street.
For you old timers. Why was there a bridge built over the Seaboard tracks at 2nd ave no? I think it was removed about the early 60`s before 1-95 was built.But not for that reason.Just like why was the bridge built over the FEC and Seaboard tracks on Southern Blvd in WPB. John Adair might know why.
This crossing was brought up at a commission meeting and JOw Kroll said we we waiting in FEC to do the work. Nothing was said about the cost of changing the crossing gates or that the City had to pay for it. Once again the CM and staff have kept the public in the dark.
Just another example of Kroll not doing and not knowing his job.
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