SW 20th Avenue Charrette

The SW 20th Avenue Charrette was the first charrette sponsored by the MTPO. Because it was their first, the MTPO neglected to specify that the company hired to run the charette should write a report of the results. Thus the principal documents that record the results are a map and a prioritized list of component projects (Appendix B of MTPO's Livable Community Reinvestment Plan)

Those who participated agree that the Charrette envisioned a pedestrian-friendly, bicycle- friendly student community served by a grid of two-lane divided roads with ample bike lanes and sidewalks. It included no four-lane roads, although it did recommend that if a two-lane westward extension of Hull Road was constructed, right-of-way for the eventual four-laning of the extension should be acquired.

The MTPO, Alachua County, and the University of Florida continued to support the original recommendations of the Charrette until December 2002. At that time three Alachua County Commissioners and University of Florida V-P Ed Poppell began actions that led to the long range transportation plan being amended to provide for a four lane rather than a two lane SW 24th Avenue. These actions culminated in the plan being amended (20 Feb 2003) and the County Commission voting 3 to 2 implement the amended version of the road with Commissioners Byerly and Wheat being the dissenting votes.