More than 25 people gathered on Nov. 1 for a Walk Audit of the streets generally bounded by MacDill Avenue, Bayshore Boulevard and Academy of the Holy Names. The group found dozens of issues that make these streets unfriendly to pedestrians and bicyclists. Among the findings and recommendations:
- The sidewalks on Bay to Bay between MacDill and Bayshore Boulevard are very narrow, are obstructed by utility poles in multiple locations and in some places nonexistent.
- Throughout the audit area, cars park on sidewalks during business hours.
- There is no safe way to cross from the east side of MacDill to the commercial centers on the west side.
- The crosswalk at the entrance to the Crosstown on Bay to Bay is inadequate and the curb cuts are difficult to navigate.
- The crosswalk button for Bay to Bay on the northwest corner of MacDill and Bay to Bay needs an upgrade — it can’t be pushed with an elbow.
- The area under the Crosstown would be an ideal place for a bike share hub as well as drinking foundation and trash cans.
- More retail on Bay to Bay between MacDill and Bayshore would improve the area.
- There is a “sharrow” on Bay to Bay from MacDill to Bayshore, but it needs a protected bike lane.
