Starting in November, City Manager Deric C. Feacher will host walking tours in select neighborhoods where key staff members will join him to help identify areas where businesses can grow, seek better zoning for individuals to have greater use of their properties, locate code issues and discuss how the city can best position itself as a destination of choice. The collective team will provide feedback from their professional perspective on, “What can be done to help this area be more successful?”
Dates and locations of the tours are:
Thursday, Nov. 4
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Midtown area
The tour will begin at the Dickerson Community Center at 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (MLK). Midtown streets to be toured include MLK, International Speedway Boulevard, Nova Road, Orange Avenue, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Ridgewood Avenue, George W. Engram Boulevard and Mason Avenue.
Morning - 9 a.m. to noon
Northern Leg (2.05 miles)
North along Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd to W. International Speedway Blvd. (0.30 miles)
West along W. International Speedway Blvd. to Nova Road (0.75 miles)
South along Nova Road. to Orange Ave. (0.25 miles)
East along Orange Ave to start point (The Dickerson Center) (0.75 miles)
Southern Leg (0.75 miles)
South along Dr. MLK Jr Blvd. to Loomis Ave. (0.25 miles)
East along Loomis Ave to Maple Street (0.10 miles)
North along Maple Street to Orange Ave. (0.30 miles)
West on Orange Ave. to start point (The Dickerson Center) (0.10 miles)
Afternoon - 1 to 3 p.m.
Walk west along Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. (0.27 miles)
Walk south along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd to International Speedway Blvd. (0.30 miles)
Walk east along International Speedway Blvd. to Ridgewood Avenue (0.38 miles)
Walk north along Ridgewood Avenue to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. (0.36 miles)
Walk west along Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd to Daisy Stocking Park (start point) (0.30 miles)
Wednesday, Nov. 10
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Downtown and beachside areas including Beach Street, Main Street, Seabreeze Blvd., Atlantic Avenue and the streets around the Ocean Center.
Thursday, Nov. 18
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Citywide tour of key areas for transportation, infrastructures, parks, code concerns, commercial and residential growth.
*Map with more specific details of the tour areas coming soon.
The walks are another example of the city manager’s commitment to removing bureaucratic barriers and improving community engagement.
“We encourage residents and business owners to come and join us” he said. “Together, we are all part of the solution to improve the economic viability and quality of life in our city.”
The walking tours will include senior staff from the City Manager’s Office, Development Services, Economic and Redevelopment, Code Enforcement, Planning, Zoning, Permits and Licensing, Public Works, Leisure Services, Utilities, Police and Communications.
During the walking tours, staff will also talk with property owners, residents and concerned stakeholders who want to provide insight on what is working and what is not working in their communities.