The Valdosta Daily Times
-- —
As part of a large transportation public hearing this week, the city unveiled its proposed plans for the new Gateways Project that will affect West Hill Avenue from Interstate 75 to downtown, and Madison Highway from the airport to South Patterson Street.
The sweeping plans call for extensive landscaping in addition to placing the utilities underground along the corridor. After initial plans were printed in The Times, the West Hill plan was modified to show a few curb cuts before the drawings were presented to the public. Business owners all along the corridors were quite vocal in their concerns. Some walked away mollified; others walked away very unhappy.
But the overwhelming question asked in the public meeting and on The Times reader’s forum continues to be one that has yet to be addressed by the city — where’s the money?
No money is currently budgeted for these improvements, no budget for the amount that these improvements would cost has been presented, and yet the Valdosta City Council will vote in August on the preliminary plan — without knowing the final cost?
At best, those in attendance were in agreement that the immediate area of the interchange at Exit 16 needs to be beautified and made to look more welcoming and inviting to visitors. If there’s money left after that, then some landscaping along the corridor would be welcomed. But the lack of curb cuts into businesses, the wide center median, and the lack of planning for the large semi-trucks that routinely use that route make the plan in its current form unrealistic at best.
It’s great to aim high. It’s a good thing that city leaders are wanting to beautify segments of the community. But when there is an adverse affect on businesses, coupled with the lack of funding and a viable budget for the project, it’s not a project the community needs at this time.
