Photo by KELLY FARRELL
All torn up: West Elkcam Circle, near the future Veterans’ Community Park, closed permanently Monday, leaving traffic to cut through the parking lot to Park Avenue or take Bald Eagle Drive to Park Avenue and back onto Elkcam Circle. Deconstruction of the pavement began Tuesday morning and will make way for a large open lawn space at the park – at a cost of $50,000. Read past coverage and view a map of the detour online.
Photo by KELLY FARRELL
Staff
All torn up: West Elkcam Circle, near the future Veterans’ Community Park, closed permanently Monday, leaving traffic to cut through the parking lot to Park Avenue or take Bald Eagle Drive to Park Avenue and back onto Elkcam Circle. Deconstruction of the pavement began Tuesday morning and will make way for a large open lawn space at the park – at a cost of $50,000. Read past coverage and view a map of the detour online.
Photo by KELLY FARRELL
Staff
Elkcam Circle closes permanently between Park Avenue and Joy Circle Monday, July 6, 2009, to make way for a large open lawn space at the newly designed Veterans' Community Park.
MARCO ISLAND — West Elkcam Circle was all torn up Tuesday as deconstruction of the existing roadway began, and though some readers are pleased, others say they're all torn up about it.
The road was closed permanently beginning Monday and drivers seemed to be adjusting to the transition as they turned around near the orange barricades, cut through parking lots and changed their daily routines.
The road is being torn out between Joy Circle and Park Avenue to make way for a large open lawn space at Veterans' Community Park at a cost of $50,000.
The park's master plan was recently completed and approved by City Council. The closing of the roadway was decided after numerous public discussions.
Pedestrian and bicycle safety as well as a larger open area to increase potential usage of the park were the primary reasons for the decision, city planners and design consultants have said.
The Eagle asked to hear what people thought about it and although many agree with the decision, others find the inconvenience to their travel routines an unnecessary nuisance.
Below is a Web message sent to the Eagle by an online reader:
"I use West Elkcam Circle daily. To go to my bank, the post office, Eagle to buy my paper, to the gym, the grocers, etc. Also, during Season, to get off the Island. I find spending that amount of money for something that won't be used much and inconveniencing year round dwellers, is very inconsiderate of our elected officials. Thanks for the chance to air my opinion. Sincerely, Dee"
The Eagle was not able to obtain Dee's last name.
OTHER COMMENTS SENT TO THE EAGLE THIS WEEK:
I think it is a bad idea to close Elkcam Circle. It is a way around traffic in the busy season. The alley way is a smaller road with many businesses backing up to the road making traveling the road more dangerous
— Joe Tortoriello
Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! Can’t believe anybody would be in favor of screwing up the traffic any more than it already is in season.
— DMW
Elcam circle destruction Like Forest Gump’s Mom said, stupid is, as stupid does.
— IrishMikeOne@aol.com
POSTED EARLIER
Elkcam Circle is to close permanently as of Monday, at a cost of $50,000, unpaving the way for an expanded central lawn space at Veterans' Community Park.
West Elkcam Circle will be removed from Joy Circle to Park Avenue, requiring traffic that once might have traveled to McDonald's or Winn Dixie from Bald Eagle to take Park Avenue rather than Elkcam Circle.
Marco Community Church of God and 7-Eleven are still to be accessible from West Elkcam Circle, which may be more properly named Elkcam semi-circle following Monday's closing.
Live nearby? Take this route often? Plan to use the alley way and parking lot as a make-shift through street to Park Avenue?
The Eagle wants to know your thoughts. Send comments, suggestions, ideas to Yourmarco.com or email mail@marcoeagle.com.
Contact the reporter directly by phone, 213-5335 or e-mail kfarrell@marconews.com. Follow me on Twitter or befriend me on Facebook: twitter.com/kelfarrell and facebook.com/kelfarrell.
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