TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A.Titkanich, Jr.; County Administrator
Nancy A. Bunt; Assistant County Administrator
Ryan Sweeney; Assistant Planning & Development Services Director
FROM: Brian Freeman, AICP; MPO Staff Director
DATE: March 9, 2026
SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for 28th Court and 49th Street Sidewalk Project
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
In late 2024, the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) adopted an update to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which provided a list of projects that are needed to fill the existing sidewalk gaps to provide connectivity. Among the highest priority sidewalks identified in the Bike-Ped Master Plan are along 49th Street and 28th Court in Gifford. Those sidewalks are also listed as a high priority project in the adopted Gifford Neighborhood Plan.
County staff recently submitted a grant application to FDOT for funding from the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) for constructing a sidewalk along 28th Court from 47th Street to 49th Street and along 49th Street from 28th Court to Old Dixie Highway. One requirement of the application is a Resolution of Support from the Board of County Commissioners.
ANALYSIS
The project will consist of the construction of a new 5’ wide concrete sidewalk along the east side of 28th Court from 47th Street to 49th Street and then along the south side of 49th Street from 28th Court to Old Dixie Highway. On 28th Court, the proposed sidewalk will connect to an existing sidewalk that currently stops at 47th Street and will provide a connection to Gifford Middle School. Going east on 49th Street, the proposed sidewalk will connect to the new pedestrian railroad crossing installed by Brightline and an existing sidewalk along Old Dixie Highway. To the west, a future sidewalk will be constructed along the north side of 49th Street.
The sidewalk project will also provide drainage improvements, earthwork, maintenance of traffic, erosion control, and pavement markings. Construction is anticipated and approved in Fiscal Year 2030 Capital Improvements Element (CIE), subject to the availability of grant funding. The project will need to be added to the County’s MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
BUDGETARY IMPACT
The estimated project cost is $368,000, which will be funded by a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. Funding will continue to be included in the CIE and subsequent budget year (Fiscal Year 2030).
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
In recent years, the Board has approved resolutions in support of Transportation Alternative Program applications to construct sidewalks in Gifford along 43rd Avenue (to be constructed in 2027) and 41st Street (to be constructed in 2029).
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
The Board will need to approve the grant funding agreement with FDOT and award the bid to construct the sidewalk.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Quality of Life
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
The sidewalk project is consistent with the Gifford Neighborhood Plan and the MPO’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The sidewalk project will need to be added to the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Resolution of Support and direct staff to submit to FDOT.