Plans To Build 10-Foot-Wide Path Along Grand Boulevard Approved

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Saying it will be a major improvement to the city's walkability, the New Port Richey City Council gave planners a unanimous go-ahead to continue designing a multi-use path along Grand Boulevard.

The council approved $159,370 for architectural and engineering services with Halff Associates Inc.

According to Public Works Director Robert Rivera, in this phase of a project, which has several phases, the city will reduce Grand Boulevard from Gulf Drive and Delaware Avenue from four lanes to two lanes and increase the width of sidewalks along the east side of the road to 10 feet wide to accommodate bicycles and groups of pedestrians.

The new multi-use path will connect to the city's existing path multi-use path, a 2,000-foot-long trail running along Marine Parkway from U.S. 19 to Grand Boulevard, completed in March 2017.

The ultimate vision is to have a continuous bike-pedestrian connection from the Pinellas Trail through downtown New Port Richey to the Starkey Trail.

The Grand Boulevard path will connect with the city’s existing path to the south at Marine Parkway and Grand Boulevard and to the north at Madison Street and Main Street.

It will include landscaping, including trees, shrubs and ground cover, irrigation, decorative street lighting and stormwater drainage improvements.

Funds for this project will come from the Penny for Pasco tax and possibly from a Regional Project Assistance grant through the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Eventually, the path will be extended to allow residents to leave their cars at home and bike or walk to downtown New Port Richey.

"With the advent of electric bikes, we are on the cusp of a resurgence in the use of bikes," said Deputy Mayor Mike Peters. "This will help give people in the southern part of the city access to downtown and provide a way for folks who don't have a car to get downtown. I'm excited to see it. It supports cultural activities and physical activities."

"When it's completed, it's going to be a huge addition to our downtown," said councilman Matt Murphy.

Councilwoman Kelly Mothershead "When I was campaigning, I saw a lot of families that couldn't walk together on a sidewalk because it was too narrow," said councilwoman Kelly Mothershead.

Noting that there are a number of historic sites along the pathway, Mayor Rob Marlowe suggested incorporating historic markers along the trail.

The path passes by a former blackberry farm that was donated to the city in 1969 to develop as a park. Marlowe said this may be the right time to finally develop the property as a park.

It also passes by the old Clemie Butler House built from native rock from the Cotee River, which has been designated a historic landmark, and the former machine shop of Gene Sarazen, considered one of the greatest golfers in history. In that machine shop in 1931, Sarazen invented what is considered to be the first true sand wedge to allow golfers to get out of sand traps.

Outdoor Cooking Ordinance Approved

The New Port Richey City Council has approved an ordinance that will allow downtown eateries to cook food in front of their restaurant during special events.

Under the new ordinance, restaurants in the city's downtown district will be allowed to obtain permits for a sidewalk or street cafe for events.

Currently, food trucks are permitted to cook food for special events, putting the downtown restaurants that depend on the special events to attract business at a disadvantage.

The ordinance, said council members, would put downtown restaurants on equal footing to participate in outdoor events.

The council's next meeting will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m.