Key Points
- The Apopka CRA Board approved $167,150 for designing pedestrian and roadway upgrades on Park Avenue near Kit Land Nelson Park on Thursday.
- An Orange County study reported 14 crashes at Park Avenue and East Orange Street, including one with a pedestrian and one with a bicyclist.
- Construction costs are estimated between $450,000 and $500,000, with concerns about sidewalk gaps and pedestrian safety on both east and west sides of Apopka.
The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board unanimously approved moving forward with engineering design for pedestrian and roadway improvements along Park Avenue near Kit Land Nelson Park on Thursday, following concerns about pedestrian safety, construction costs and gaps in nearby sidewalks.
The CRA agenda packet requested $167,150 for professional engineering design services by Traffic & Mobility Consultants LLC. An Orange County study documented 14 crashes near Park Avenue and East Orange Street, including one involving a pedestrian and another involving a bicyclist.
“If we’re going to invest in the design, we need to make sure that we’re going to go forward with the project,” CRA Vice Chair Diane Velazquez said, expressing concern about previous city projects whose designs were completed but never implemented.
The city’s CRA oversees downtown revitalization and infrastructure improvements. Its board consists of the mayor, four city commissioners and two appointed representatives, one from the city and one from Orange County.
Jean Sanchez of the city’s Planning and Zoning Division presented the proposal, which includes an enhanced pedestrian crossing with rectangular rapid flashing beacons, a pedestrian refuge, a directional median opening, sidewalk connections and roadway modifications.
The improvements are intended to provide safer access between nearby neighborhoods, downtown Apopka and Kit Land Nelson Park, which hosts community events throughout the year.
The proposal follows Orange County’s July 2026 Park Avenue/Rock Springs Road Safety and Access Management Study. The county has jurisdiction over Park Avenue and must review the final design.
During the discussion, CRA member Yesenia Baron questioned the project’s overall cost. Consultants estimated construction could cost an additional $450,000 to $500,000, although a more precise estimate will be prepared after design.
Baron also raised concerns about pedestrians having to walk along streets without sidewalks to reach the proposed crossing.
CRA member Sam Ruth echoed concerns about pedestrian access between the east and west sides of Apopka.
“You can’t get from the west side of Apopka to the east side of Apopka without taking your life in your own hands,” Ruth said.
CRA Chair Nick Nesta suggested moving forward with design while having staff develop a phased plan to address missing sidewalks in the surrounding area.
“What we can do is move forward on this design, and then have staff create a phased plan of what sidewalks look like in that area,” Nesta said.
Board members also questioned turning restrictions, U-turns and potential traffic backups resulting from the proposed median configuration. Consultants said those concerns would be evaluated during design.
During public comment, former Orange County District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore described difficulties crossing Park Avenue with her grandchildren and her mother, who uses a wheelchair.
Another resident, Matthew Hutchinson, questioned whether a traffic signal would provide a better long-term solution.
Economic Development Director Antranette Forbes said CRA funding could be reallocated from larger projects that have not progressed.
Staff is expected to return to the CRA with a construction cost estimate and funding request once design is completed.