The City of Jacksonville is asking to close a railroad crossing in San Marco next to a busy retail center.
According to the city’s application filed with the Florida Transportation Department, the potential closure of the crossing at Naldo Avenue would effectively create two dead ends on Naldo Avenue near Hendricks Avenue.
State Transportation Department spokeswoman Ann Vincent Howard said nearby residents and businesses are being asked for their input.
“There’re several restaurants, a church, and probably 8-10 businesses in that area. And the of course, the folks that live within 300 feet of that area. They’re within standing, meaning they’re within 300 feet of impact if anything should change”
Howard said the department received the application in November and held a public meeting last week. Comment will continue to be gathered through February 4.
District 5 City Councilwoman Lori Boyer assembled a team in August to look into what closing that portion of Naldo Avenue to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists would mean for the city.
According the city’s application, which WJCT News obtained from the State Transportation Department, 584 vehicles cross railroad daily. An estimated 210 pedestrians and bike riders use the crossing weekly.
Officials with the school district and Jacksonville Fire Department said it would not negatively affect school bus routes or access for emergency vehicles.
Lt. Daniel Shelton said Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office would not be affected by the railroad street crossing closure, but he raised concerns about how businesses would be affected.
“After meeting with the merchants in the area of Naldo Ave.,” Lt. Shelton wrote in an August email to the project engineer, “Zone three (JSO) believes it will have a negative impact on the businesses.”
WJCT News reached out to V Pizza, located next to the railroad crossing, but the manager said she was not aware about the potential closure.
WJCT-News also reached out to Boyer for comment but had not received a response by the time of this story's publication. This story will be updated when Boyer responds.
Contact Abukar Adan at 904-358-6319, aadan@wjct.org or on Twitter at @abukaradan17
