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Road Expert Backs 2-Way Conversion

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

WEST TAMPA - A road design expert said Howard and Armenia avenues can be more accessible and improve the area's business climate by making them two-way.

Michael Wallwork, president of Alternate Street Design in Orange Park, said he recommends placing roundabouts and eliminating traffic signals at intersections to create a steady flow of traffic and control speeds.
Wallwork said the area needs to add street parking, landscaping and convert to two-way traffic.

'Conversion to two-way is a no-brainer,' said Wallwork, who spoke to about 40 people Monday night at the West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 W. Union St.

But Danny Lamb, the Florida Department of Transportation's systems planning administrator, said at the meeting that his agency recommends maintaining Howard and Armenia as one-way roads. He said the city's administration asked FDOT this spring to study the idea of making Howard and Armenia two-way from Azeele Street to Tampa Bay Boulevard.

The study concluded one-third of the road capacity would be lost. It would create traffic delays and send drivers annoyed by the congestion into the neighborhood streets.

Armenia and Howard serve as access roads to Interstate 275, businesses and communities, Lamb said. Armenia is a southbound one-way street; Howard is a northbound one-way street.

'We need to preserve this corridor as a well-functioning corridor,' Lamb said.

Darren Diaz, owner of Olympia Catering on Howard Avenue, said no government agency will fund a project to convert Armenia and Howard into two-way roads.

'I don't see spending that kind of money for something that has marginal returns,' Diaz said.

When he asked whether there were cost estimates on road conversions, no one at the meeting had figures.

'This is an exercise in futility as far as I'm concerned,' Diaz said.
West Tampa home developer Ed Turanchik said a 2005 West Tampa economic development study emphasized creating two-way traffic on Howard and Armenia. But committees formed after the study learned that it would be difficult to make the conversion because of Interstate 275. The interstate is being expanded from West Shore Boulevard to the Hillsborough River.

Turanchik urged Councilwoman Mary Mulhern to use her position to bring road beautification and traffic calming to Armenia and Howard.

Lamb, Turnachik and others in attendance also took exception with using roundabouts. Critics said roundabouts on Howard and Armenia would need right of way, which could affect homes, businesses and historical buildings.

Bayshore Boulevard resident Marilyn Weekley said she was encouraged by Wallwork's presentation. Although she doesn't live in West Tampa, she was motivated to attend because of the area's economic progress.

She said she worked in marketing and sales traveling in Europe and South America, where roundabouts are common. The fear is caused by ignorance, Weekley said.

'Traffic flows, and you are not stopping every two blocks,' Weekley said.

Last week, Mulhern hosted a discussion on converting Tampa Street and Florida Avenue into two-way traffic. Mulhern said the audience of Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights residents overwhelmingly wanted the change.

Randy Baron, president of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association, attended the Oct. 10 discussion at the Stetson University College of Law in Tampa Heights.

Baron said residents want roads that are safe and service the neighborhood with shops and businesses. Now, the one-way Florida and Tampa are through roads, Baron said.

He said residents plan to start an e-mailing and letter-writing campaign to city and state leaders to make them aware of the community's desire.

'This is a dysfunctional road,' Baron said. 'It is not going to get better. It is only going to get worse.'

Mulhern said she plans to hold a city council discussion for Florida and Tampa, and a separate one for Howard and Armenia.

Mulhern said West Tampa might want to see something more immediate because residents of the area have felt neglected.

'They don't think it is going to happen. That there isn't this will to do it,' Mulhern said. 'If the will comes from the community, it can happen.'

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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