CRESTVIEW — City staffers are working on a proposal to vacate a section of Mapoles Street between East Hickory Avenue and U.S. Highway 90 West.
The vacated portion — between First Baptist Church of Crestview and Burger King — would be demolished to build an easement over existing city utilities for the church and fast food restaurant.
Abandonment would cost the city less than $10,000 for the pavement's demolishment, according to Public Services Director Wayne Steele, who said the funds would come out of this fiscal year's street department budget.
The council will vote on the matter after official documents are presented.
Crestview City Clerk Betsy Roy said the easement's new use would be at the discretion of adjoining property owners, the church and the fast food restaurant.
Steele said the easement would not allow for buildings, due to the existing utilities' prsence.
So, why vacate the area?
Well, Steele said church officials have expressed concern for motorists' safety.
“The church is concerned about the elderly folks in motor vehicles who try to exit at that intersection,” Steele said. “You have two city streets that try to merge onto (U.S.) Highway 90 at basically the same point. It’s very dangerous; you can’t see.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City staffers propose demolishing 'dangerous' section of street