Open House Planned For Preliminary US 19 Improvement Ideas

How can travel along US 19 be improved? 

Maybe by creating pull offs for bus stops, according to one suggestion. 

What about signs to let drivers know where a business is?

Maybe the city can change its rules so they can be larger and easier to see, one commenter offered.

These and more than 100 other ideas and comments came in when officials asked residents, business owners and others who have a stake in the future development of US 19 for their take on how to improve the corridor through the first round of questions, which were posted online from March 5 to May 12.

The preliminary plan ideas will be presented and discussed at an open house May 30 in the Diamond Room at La Quinta Inn, 21338 US Highway 19 N.

 as crews work on changing a 2.7 mile section from a stop lit, median separated road into a limit-access highway, the survey is asking for opinions that would shape future land use changes for the commercial corridor.

The study sought recommendations dealing with land use, design, sustainability and economic development impacting property fronting US 19 between Belleair and Curlew Road. The study area also includes the commercial corridor defined by Gulf to Bay Boulevard, Drew Street and North McMullen Booth Road.

The final study, expected to be finished this fall, would include recommendations on the mix of land uses, intensity of development, and the character of building, site, and landscape improvements. The study also looks for insight in improving vehicle, pedestrian and bike connections and promote more sustainable forms and patterns of development.

The second round of questions is posted for public comment and features an interactive mapping tool to connect user’s ideas with specific locations. 

Visit myus19plan.com.

If you go:

What: US 19 Preliminary plan open house

When: 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. May 30

Where: Diamond Room at , 21338 US Highway 19 N