The Municipal Service District discussed the issue of sidewalks at the board of trustees meeting, Monday, Feb. 10 at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The recent topic of constructing a sidewalk along San Juan Drive has been contentious among residents. The board, however, voted in unanimous favor to advocate the addition of one along the road.
While the vote passed in favor of the resolution, the MSD would not be building the sidewalk but standing behind the residents of the area that are working toward its construction. Not all residents are in favor of the plan, however.
“Numerous people said that the answer to traffic and speeding was to widen San Juan Drive,” said MSD Treasurer Gary Jurenovich. “With my years of experience doing this, if you widen a roadway — people drive faster. To widen San Juan Drive, the amount of time and the years and the dollars would take four or five billion dollars.”
Recently elected MSD chairman, Brad Wester, said he is “emphatic” about the idea, as well as a possible sidewalk addition to Ponte Vedra Boulevard.
“We are here for the betterment in the totality of the community in terms of a safer passageway,” Wester said. “We are stewards of that cause.”
Additionally, the board touched on a few other community news subjects, including the recent resignation of Billy Zeits, assistant director of St. Johns County Parks and Recreation. The board also reported the Mickler’s Beach access, which has been under construction, will continue operation during the next two weeks while repairs are made to the concrete access. New restrooms and changing rooms are also currently being constructed, however, a late March completion date of those facilities has been announced.
The next MSD board of trustees meeting will be held Monday, March 9 at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ponte Vedra Beach. The board will be not continuing their meetings at this location, however, and is currently exploring other options.
