In February, Congressman Richard Nugent asked the BOCC to expedite construction of a sidewalk along Quality Drive to make pedestrian travel safer for residents of Vista Grande as well as for school children. Assistant County Administrator Brian Malmberg explained that the sidewalk was on a list of projects awaiting DOT funding in Fiscal Year 2018, but they would explore options to begin construction sooner, if possible.
Malmberg’s office has been busy in the last four months. The design for the sidewalk has been completed, and while the DOT could fund the project, approval and funding is still more than a year away. Cemex met with Malmberg in April and offered to provide the 136 cubic yards of concrete which Malmberg estimated would be needed to construct the proposed 1,000 feet of sidewalk. The project is expected to cost close to $50,000, which Malmberg stated is available in the budget. He asked the BOCC to approve Phase I of the project, which they did with a unanimous vote.
James Morris, Regional Environmental Manager of Cemex, and Travis Wellman, Vice President of Operations for Cemex, were present for the donation. Morris stated that the company is concerned with community safety and wanted to help with the project.
Commissioner Wayne Dukes thanked Morris for helping the community and joked that the BOCC would accept more donations if Cemex wanted to help with the 10,000 miles of additional cement needed.
Commissioner Nick Nicholson added his thanks, stating Cemex has been a partner in many ways, including contributing to the County Fair and the July 4 fireworks. Nicholson commended Cemex for the many ways they help the community.
Arlene Sollis, who personally appealed to Nugent at his Washington, D.C. office, offered her thanks to Nugent for his influence in making sure that the project moves forward. Darlene Hiller, a longtime friend of Sollis, thanked the BOCC and everyone involved in helping construct the sidewalks which will provide safety for residents and children.
Dukes commended Sollis for her persistence in bringing the sidewalk to the attention of Nugent and the BOCC, but stated that one of the worst things about government is the slow speed at which things are accomplished. Obtaining funding, approving permits, and seeking bids all take far more time than the actual work on a project, and while the County does have good staff, they work within a faulty system.
H. Paul Douglas, member of the Board of Directors at Bayfront Spring Hill, stated he was not aware of the situation until recently, but acknowledged these were serious safety concerns that would be discussed at the next board meeting. Douglas apologized to the County, and directly to Sollis, offering to provide assistance to resolve the situation.