Intersection of Commerce and Alabama Streets in Jay, Fla.
Although no action was taken, the Jay Council discussed potential problems for traffic at the downtown intersection and other town projects at its Monday, March 2 council meeting.
Livestock Market
With several vendors currently at the new marketplace daily and others coming on Saturdays, council members discussed giving vendors an opportunity periodically to bring and sell goods not necessarily that are local.
"I had a request from someone to do handmade necklaces and soaps that were not made locally," said Jay Town Operations Manager Eric Seib. "I wasn't sure it really fit with our rules and regulations and theme of our livestock market, but I wanted to get input from everyone before I said no."
Jay Mayor Shon Owens said he could see the town putting together a market sale maybe once a month a sale for things that are not locally made. Councilman Josh Holloway agreed that he had seen opportunities before to sell whatever goods.
Several days after the council meeting, town officials decided to allow vendors to sell products that were not necessarily locally produced the first Saturday of each month. Vendors must still abide by marketplace rules and regulations.
Intersection concerns
Seib said that according to the Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT), engineers and drawings, the line from the stop sign at the intersection of Commerce and Alabama Streets is far enough back and there is enough turn radius for cars to turn safely.
Councilwoman Nina Hendricks expressed concern and said she thought it could be 8 feet wider. "I've turned there many time with my SUV and I am in the other lane every time," she said. "If you have enough wrecks, they will figure it out. We are going to have some wrecks."
Dewberry Engineering representative Crystal Weatherington said the sidewalk had to be a safe width for pedestrians.
"Because of the parking that is on the Bray Park side, they have to extend that out so far because that is actual parking areas against the gazebo area," said Owens. "There is a parking spot that stipulates how far out that intersection on Calfee has to come."
Owens did concede that if he tried to turn with another truck there, he probably would not be able to turn safely and suggested a meeting with the state on what can be done. Owens expressed concern for the intersection at Highway 89 also with big trucks trying to turn.
"I think it has a lot to do what a big truck that has to make a right turn, they do have to move into the opposite lane to get turned, and obviously you can't do that," said Owens.
Owens said they may need to address the state while the contractors are in town to look at it.
Holloway said that when cars park on both sides of the street, there is no way two vehicles can pass by, and that it runs people off the road, making it very dangerous.
Owens said that State and Arthur streets were the original option to get down Commerce Street to get to the co-op and the cotton gin, but because the DOT has set them up to be truck routes, they are not set up yet while the DOT is working on it. He said GPS will take trucks down Arthur Street to get there once they pass the intersection of Highway 4 and Commerce Street and thinks that there will be signs in the future to indicate where to turn including truck route signs. Owens said the same struggles are in place in that intersection but it is now noticed to everyone.
Councilman Holloway suggested truck drivers following GPS who are not familiar with the Jay downtown will have problems and suggested getting it changed. Seib said he requested a change for that intersection with Google maps GPS but has gotten no response.
Councilwoman Maxine Ivey said she thought Arthur Street needs repaving and that would make it easier.
Weatherington said turning models would have been done with the state for the intersection, but council members agreed that it can look great on paper, but the practicality may not be in place.
"I think for the most part we just want to be able to have an answer for the community," said Owens. "That it was discussed, it was evaluated and we've done that type of research."
Weatherington mentioned paving portions of project grants and Seib mentioned state legislation monies the town can ask for in the future to pave a portion of Arthur.
"State Street is usable right now, it's not as functional as we would like it to be and there may be some maintenance we need to do to State Street just to keep it in working order," said Owens. "But I'd say we are looking at a year from having any opportunity to do a complete redo. Arthur Street, I think, can probably be addressed quicker."
The day after the council meeting, the FDOT made a decision to adjust the turnout between Highway 4 and Highway 89 to allow trucks to maneuver, according to Seib. He said they will demolish what is there now and repour a smaller sidewalk area and Commerce Street will remain the same. The truck route will be Highway 4 to Highway 89 to access the cotton gin and co-op.
The next council meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, March 16, at Jay Town Hall.
