The intersection between Alabama, Evers and Wheeler streets may be the most confusing stop in Plant City.
But as part of the Midtown Redevelopment Project, the intersection will become a little more straightforward.
Work is slated to begin this month on a $1.4 million realignment project. The contractor, Lithia-based Quality Grassing and Service Inc., is expected to complete the project in six months and no later than January 2014.
The realignment will eliminate the intersection of the three streets. Wheeler Street also will be extended south, toward Ball Street, for about three blocks. The project is funded from the Community Redevelopment Agency and a Transportation Grant Agreement with Hillsborough County.
“It’s not a standard intersection,” City Engineer Brett Gocka said of the current alignment. “You typically want a T-shaped intersection. So it is a safety improvement at the same time.”
The realignment will start with the construction of two ponds behind the former Sweetbay Supermarket. The ditch on the north side of the building will be enclosed.
Then, the demolition of the current curvy stretch of Wheeler Street, which extends from Renfro Street to South Evers Street, will begin.
A new stretch of Wheeler then will be created. Wheeler will be taken south from Renfro to Alabama Street. Then, it will be extended further southward to Ball Street.
During this time, Wheeler will be closed to traffic. Local traffic will be directed to take Collins Street. Trucking traffic will use Park Road.
The realignment will create an additional block for homes and businesses — and added revenue for the city — according to City Manager Greg Horwedel. It also will create an area for a 1.1-acre village green in Midtown.
Once the work is completed on Wheeler, the city hopes to start constructing the village green, which could cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.
The concept for Midtown dates back to 2007, when then-mayor Rick Lott coined the term. The redevelopment project plans to create a shopping, dining and living experience just south of Historic Downtown Plant City.
Since then, the city has been busy purchasing property and cleaning up contaminated areas from former businesses and plants.
With the realignment creating a village green, the city hopes the area will become more enticing for investors and developers.
Although the realignment is the first visible work to be done on Midtown, Horwedel said the project has been progressing steadily for two years.
“There’s been a lot of work in the past two years,” Horwedel said. “Things sit for a while, and people think nothing is happening. But, a lot goes on behind the scenes.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.