ORANGE PARK — The town gave residents a sneak peek into a potential new look for Blake Avenue on Wednesday, May 28. 

From 5:30 to 7 p.m., residents were welcome to drop in and review concept plans for the Blake Avenue Complete Streets project. 

The town said that the proposed project will take place between Plainfield Avenue and River Road and include a half a mile of road rehabilitation, parking improvements, and renovations to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle modes of transportation.

The complete streets concept is something the town began a few years ago as a way to take a holistic approach to revamping roadways.

In addition to passionate residents, the public meeting also featured representatives with CMT Infrastructure Professionals – the engineering company who will be overseeing the project – ready to answer any questions.

While none of the plans are set in stone, residents were invited to voice their feedback and opinion on two potential concepts. 

With concept A, Blake Avenue saw added sidewalks and on-street parking spaces. However, concept B maintained the additional sidewalks but completely eliminated on-street parking.

Many residents weren’t enthralled with the thought of sidewalks, some saying they were unnecessary and could lead to more foot traffic – which in turn could bring more littering. Some also judged the addition of more green spaces along the road, concerned that doing so would require more irrigation and therefore cost more for town residents. 

CMT said they will be compiling all of the feedback and presenting it to the town council at a later meeting.