Bluffton's new Goethe Road sidewalk plan aims to minimize private property impact
Bluffton leaders unveiled a redesigned sidewalk plan for the Goethe Road neighborhood Tuesday, with an eye on minimizing impact on property owners.
The project, which has been in development since 2012, was heavily criticized in the past by neighbors who worried the new walkway would cut a path too far into their lawns.
The town's redesign removed some "wiggle" from path, making it "less serpentine" and therefore less intrusive, growth management director Kendra Lelie said Tuesday.
The project, estimated to cost about $320,000, will add walkways along a mile-long stretch of Goethe Road, from its intersection with Bluffton Parkway to existing sidewalks at the intersection of Dr. Mellichamp Drive.
Sidewalks along Shults Road and Hildebrand Drive also are included in the plans, along with connections to existing sidewalks on Eighth and Ninth avenues.
"The ultimate goal of this is connection -- connecting your community with the other communities around you," Lelie told the group of about 25 neighbors on hand Tuesday at a project open house.
The sidewalks will help provide a safe route to area schools, as well as popular shopping and dining destinations in Old Town's Promenade, she said.
The neighborhood reaction to the project redesign Tuesday was generally positive.
Jack Davis, who lives on Hildebrand Drive, said while he still has concerns about the sidewalks encroaching on his property, the revisions are an improvement over previous plans.
Town staffers "are doing the best they can. They're trying to work this thing out," he said. "If they can get it to happen, it'll be nice. We need the sidewalks."
Ninth Avenue resident Terri Martin said the walkways will be a huge safety improvement for neighbors who like to get out and walk around Old Town.
"With the Promenade and all of the restaurants and happy hours, there's a lot of pedestrian traffic and there's no sidewalks for them," she said. "So it's not only scary for them, it's scary for the drivers."
Dave Sam agreed but said he wished the town had taken bicyclists into consideration.
Because the sidewalk will only be 5 feet wide, town officials have said it won't be safe for cyclists and pedestrians to use at the same time.
"I'd rather have seen something more comprehensive" that allows use by walkers and bikers, Sam said.
The town plans to begin applying for construction permits and negotiating easement agreements with property owners by March.
Construction is expected to start in the summer and wrap up by late fall.
"If everything goes smoothly, these sidewalks will be there for 2017," Lelie said.
Follow reporter Lucas High on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Lucas.
Related content:
- Bluffton officials unveil Goethe Road area sidewalk plan, July 22, 2014
This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 7:09 AM with the headline "Bluffton's new Goethe Road sidewalk plan aims to minimize private property impact."