Phase 1A of San Juan Complete Streets project nears completion

By Sara Beth Williams–
Phase 1A of the San Juan Complete Streets project has incorporated several safety enhancements along San Juan Avenue, but not all residents are thrilled.

Construction on the first section of the major capital works project began in June along San Juan Avenue from Madison Avenue to Chesline Drive and is now wrapping up, the city said. Phase 1B will continue construction from Chesline Drive to Spicer Drive. The second phase will then continue down San Juan Avenue, from Spicer Drive to Greenback Lane.

The final steps in Phase 1A of the project include signal coordination and activating new streetlights, which the city said last week are currently being coordinated with partners. City Manager Ash Feeney confirmed in an Oct. 23 City Council meeting that the next step, Phase 1B, of the project is fully funded and construction is expected to begin in the spring between Chesline Drive and Spicer Drive.

The full project includes constructing new sidewalks, curbs, and gutters where there were none before, replacing deteriorating sidewalks and curbs, ADA access improvements, the addition of new buffered bike lanes, streetlighting, storm drain infrastructure upgrades and expansion, and full roadway resurfacing and restriping.

Not everyone is happy, however. Bill Leggett, who lives on San Juan Avenue between Willowcreek Drive and Madison Avenue, reached out to The Sentinel saying modifications made to his driveway during the construction project made it “unsafe.”

Leggett is a disabled veteran in his 80s, lives alone, and uses a cane when he walks. He alleges that after the city repaved his driveway during the project, it became unsafe due to what he describes as a “deep angle downslope” created during the repaving process, which he says was less pronounced before.

Leggett called the new incline “dangerous,” and said he has difficulty walking down the driveway to get the mail. He said he’s also fallen at least once while trying to walk back up the driveway after putting his garbage cans out, and had to “call the fire department for help.”

Leggett shared with The Sentinel that he spoke to the city multiple times regarding his concerns after the driveway was completed. Leggett also shared photos with The Sentinel that show the progress of construction and the surface of the driveway area prior to it being repaved with asphalt.

The city in an email to The Sentinel confirmed that Leggett spoke with staff “on multiple occasions” and said the “driveway paving was adjusted to reduce the slope as much as possible within property limits.”

Additionally, the city rebuilt a brick retainer wall and accompanying integrated fence that blocks the view of Leggett’s home, allowing for privacy. The city said the design was “later refined during construction,” after conversations with Leggett, and now provides an extra 24-30 inches of usable space in front of the home. Leggett was notified of the changes to the retaining wall design and subsequently agreed to the changes in July, the city said. Outside of the fence, a sidewalk was built where there wasn’t one prior.

In September 2022, Leggett signed an “Agreement for Acquisition of Real Property,” the city said. Leggett confirms that he, along with his adult daughter, sat together with the city to sign paperwork. The conversations regarding right-of-way acquisitions began in July of 2022, and the city said Leggett was “informed of its status” and that the overall design concept only underwent “minor adjustments” during detailed engineering.

“At this time, the project is substantially complete, and there are no further recommendations to modify the work on or adjacent to Mr. Leggett’s property,” the city said.

For periodic updates on the San Juan Complete Streets Project, residents can visit the city’s Capital Improvements project page here. Travelers should be prepared for lane and sidewalk closures throughout the construction, the city said.