BY DAN HILDEBRAN
General manager
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—The city council heard a plan during its January 8 meeting to improve the town’s major intersection at State Roads 21 and 100.
Phil Shad with the engineering firm AtkinsRealis recommended improved pavement markings, signal enhancements, and the construction of two pedestrian islands on the northwest and southeast corners of the junction.
A key part of the plan is for the city to acquire a triangle-shaped parcel on the southeast corner and demolish the former Kentucky Fried Chicken and Chinese Restaurant that now sits on the land.
Shad recommended that the city convert the parcel into additional parking and an open area with trees and grass.
The consultant suggested the city could use the open space as a marquee gateway to downtown with a sign and other assets giving visitors a positive first impression of the town.
The plan also includes eliminating street parking near Keystone Gun and Gifts and creating a right-turning lane on northbound State Road 21 for cars turning onto eastbound SR 100.
He said that now, some motorists can’t tell if cars in front of the retailer are in line to turn right onto 100 or are parked in front of the store.
He said the loss of parallel street parking in front of the store would be offset by eight additional parking spaces to the north of the structure, where the restaurant used to be.
Shad said the pedestrian islands, also known as pork chops, near Keystone Gun and Gifts and CVS would assist walkers and cyclists crossing two of the four pedestrian crossings at the junction.
Other improvements include realigned crosswalks, skip lines through the center of the intersection to guide motorists making left turns, and a painted gore area near Walgreens to guide cars through an unusually spacious area for vehicles turning right from westbound 100 to northbound 21.
Shad also discussed signal upgrades that include mast arms to replace the current signals suspended by span wires and back plates on signals to shield the sun from motorists looking west toward the traffic lights.
City Manager Lynn Rutkowski said Florida’s Department of Transportation, which owns both roads, has been consulted on the recommendations.
She added that the owner of the former restaurant had indicated an interest in selling as long as he can recover the cost of the property, which she estimates to be around $240,000. Rutkowski said the city’s community redevelopment agency has the cash to buy the parcel at that price and recommended incoming City Manager Charlie Van Zant follow up on the proposed deal.
Proposed improvements to the State Road 100 and 21 intersection include realigned crosswalks, skip lines through the center of the intersection to guide motorists making left turns, and a painted gore area near Walgreens to guide cars through an unusually spacious area for vehicles turning right from westbound 100 to northbound 21. The proposal also includes signal enhancements and the construction of two pedestrian islands on the northwest and southeast corners of the junction. Image: AktinsRealis
A key part of the plan is for the city to acquire a triangle-shaped parcel on the southeast corner and demolish the former Kentucky Fried Chicken and Chinese Restaurant that now sits on the land. A consultant recommended that the city convert the parcel into additional parking and an open area with trees and grass. Image: AktinsRealis
