Opposition outweighs support for Westchase crosswalk at county meeting
Share this @internewscast.com

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Westchase community is experiencing a divide over a proposal to install a crosswalk in a school zone close to Westchase Elementary School.

While the project’s goal is to enhance pedestrian safety, some community members feel the area is already safe and suggest the funds might be better allocated to other local initiatives.

A study conducted by Hillsborough County revealed that currently, individuals, including students, need to walk 2,300 feet to reach the nearest crosswalk and cross the four-lane West Linebaugh Avenue. The proposed crosswalk would reduce this distance to 120 feet.

During the study, they also saw students from the elementary school illegally crossing the street and standing in the median, waiting on cars to go by to get across.

Some people argued that those students and pedestrians can just take the walk, as opposed to adding another crosswalk they feel would increase traffic in an already congested area.

“I think it’s going to be more dangerous. I think the crosswalk we have with three manned crossing guards is very safe,” said Jessica Siddle, a Westchase resident.

During an open house event at the school Tuesday, a majority of the attendants seemed to be against the project, including the Westchase Community Association HOA.

“The WCA board and the voting members board all voted unanimously in opposition,” said Eric Goldstein, the VP of Government Affairs for WCA.

The county said the project cost estimate is $1,050,000.

$800,000 would go toward construction, and $250,000 toward the design. Goldstein and others said the money could be better spent on sidewalk repairs and installations around the neighborhood.

“We have citizens that are tripping over sidewalks every day injuring themselves. And it seems to me it’s a waste of money to do a crosswalk. Money could be better spent in fixing sidewalks,” said Terry Boyd, who is against the new crosswalk.

Of the 74 people who signed in at the open house, 8 On Your Side found four people who were there in support of the project.

“I think it’s crazy that the community is opposed to it,” said Lauren Palm. “I just think that the most important thing is to keep kids safe and that’s all we’re trying to do.”

Lauren Frazier, who saw the need for the crosswalk in 2023, was there as well. She said based on conversations with her neighbors and seeing kids run across the street to the median, she wanted to get something done.

“I’ve not ever seen a school that doesn’t have a cross walk direct to the school,” Fraizer said.

She took her concerns to the county, and said after being very persistent with them, funding for the project was approved in December. She referred to the county’s study where they found the location meets the criteria for a mid-block crosswalk. It also said the location meets the Florida Statutes definition of a hazardous walking condition for students.

“Really, we’re going to go against what the professionals who (have) many years of school are pointing to, all because people just don’t like it or understand it? That’s, yeah, very disappointing,” Frazier said.

The study was made available to everyone.

The WCA said they found holes in the study, and others against the project argued that they don’t see accidents happen in this stretch, so they don’t think the crosswalk is needed.

County Commissioner Joshua Wostal was at the open house. He said the project immediately received opposition and said the questions he’s hearing are why is this all of sudden a priority in this safe community.

“Westchase is kind of the envy of Hillsborough County, being the most walkable, pedestrian-safe community,” Wostal said.

He said the proposed crosswalk is an eyeshot away from an existing crosswalk and said it doesn’t make sense to him nor to the community to do this when there are other needs. He also mentioned how he doesn’t want this to be a repeat of the Sun City Center issue where Wostal said the commissioners paid for a project the community didn’t want, and now the county is trying to undo what they paid.

“The community is clearly against it. It’s a well-maintained sidewalk within an eyeshot and we should just promote no illegal jaywalking across the street here,” Wostal said. “I will bring an item to kill this project.”

Wostal said they can go back to making repairs the community actually wants. But Frazier said she has about 50 emails of people who support this crosswalk and said if this is blocked at the county level, she will take it to the state.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Farewell to a Legend: FWC Retires Iconic Offshore Patrol Vessel After 50 Years

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — After more than five decades of dedicated…

Woman Faces Charges for Displaying Firearm at Myrtle Beach Protest

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a woman was taken into custody on…

Revised Student Loan Caps May Reshape Future Careers in Academia, Medicine, and Law

As millions of students return to their academic pursuits this year, many…

Mid-Air Windshield Crack Forces Emergency Landing of LA-Bound Jet in Salt Lake City

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Authorities are currently examining the circumstances surrounding a cracked…

FEMA Grant Delays and New Rules Spark Concerns Over Disaster Response Effectiveness, Warn State Officials

State emergency management officials are sounding alarms over significant reductions in federal…

Israel Confirms Identity of Hostage’s Body Amid Ongoing Gaza Crossing Closure

TEL AVIV – In a somber development, Israeli authorities confirmed on Sunday…

JCPD Probes Shooting Incident After Victim Discovered with Several Gunshot Wounds

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Authorities in Johnson City are actively investigating…

High-Speed Motorcycle Pursuit in North Augusta Concludes with Fatal Crash

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – A high-speed pursuit on Edgefield Road in North…

Shocking Discovery: Human Remains Uncovered in Philadelphia Police Search for Missing Woman

PHILADELPHIA – In a significant development in the search for a missing…

Community Spirit Shines: ‘Fifth Quarter’ Unites Fans Post-David Crockett High School Games

The New Victory Baptist Church in Jonesborough, Tennessee, has been fostering community…

Prosecutors Reveal Man’s Attempt to Dodge Charges by Seeking Deportation

A man from Mexico who turned himself over to federal authorities in…

OSF Staff Contributes $30,000 to United Way of Champaign County

In a generous act of community support, the team at OSF Heart…