It's no secret that the key West's city government has failed to address critical problems that threaten both our quality of life and our tourism-based economy. Among the most galling of these are our lack of safe sidewalks and the street flooding that follows every rainstorm. Across our island, safety is compromised by sidewalks that are cracked, uneven, too narrow, obstructed or missing altogether. And even now, in the dry season, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists are subjected to flooding that makes navigating our streets difficult and hazardous.
Most vulnerable to these dangerous conditions are our children. Go past our local schools and look for sidewalks. Some have them in front of the building, but not on the sides or across the street. After children are out of sight of the crossing guard they are on their own. Watch children leave Glynn Archer School and walk east on United Street. As they pass the trailer park where there are no sidewalks, they walk in the street to avoid puddles that entirely cover the road shoulder— where a sidewalk should be, but isn't.
School kids aren't the only ones put in jeopardy by this inexcusable situation. Parents pushing baby strollers must put their small children at risk, taking to the street to dodge floods and other obstacles. People in wheelchairs find it nearly impossible to negotiate sidewalks that are blocked, too narrow or have no curb cuts. And elderly people risk a broken hip or worse to get around on foot.
By making our streets difficult to travel, we are endangering and inconveniencing not only locals, but tourists as well. And this could have a profound impact on our economy, especially with the return visitors we depend on. Families with young children will avoid a vacation destination that doesn't allow them to walk around safely. People with disabilities are unlikely to return to a place that makes it hard for them to move about freely. And as the average age of Americans increases, we risk losing the tourist dollars of older visitors because of these easily remedied problems. Problems that have been around for a long time, as long as there have been streets, and nothing has been done about it.
The failure to address these basic issues betrays a lack of planning on the part of our city leaders. As mayor, I repeatedly pushed the City Commission to take action to improve our sidewalks and eliminate flooding. But every time I met with the same response: that the city just didn't have the money to make these necessary repairs.
This excuse is unacceptable. These improvements are vital not only to the quality of life for residents, but also to the vacation experience of visitors. And if we do not make them now, when Key West is economically healthy, then when will we do it?
The continuing sidewalk and flooding problems— along with growing traffic, inadequate parking and our ongoing affordable housing shortage— are obvious indicators of a city government with no vision. Aside from jamming in as many tourists as possible, there is no plan for the future of our community.
City leaders must step back and reconsider our priorities. They must invest in urgently needed improvements now to keep Key West a good place to live and visit. And they must plan any future growth around the limits of our infrastructure.