Public Information Workshop #1

The first public information workshop for the CR 951 PD&E Study was held on Thursday, February 20, 2003 at the Three Oaks University Center in Estero, Florida. The workshop was held to present the project to the public and to allow the public to participate in a consensus building activity. A newsletter announcing the workshop was mailed on February 10, 2003 to all persons in the project database. In addition, flyers were hand delivered to the large developments within the project area for posting on community bulletin boards. Variable message boards were used along the four main east-west routes in the project area to announce the workshop one week prior to the meeting date. The workshop was advertised in the News-Press & the Naples Daily News on January 30, 2003.

Approximately 86 people attended the public information workshop. Aerial photography and maps were on display during the first hour open house. Representatives from the Lee County DOT, Collier County Division of Transportation and the Florida Department of Transportation and its consultants were on hand at the meeting to answer questions and discuss the project with the public. A short slide show presentation followed the open house to explain the PD&E process and the study criteria. A consensus building session was held with the public to determine their issues and concerns regarding the project. In addition, the project teams were given the opportunity to draw alignments on aerial photography showing where they thought the road should be located. The no project alternative was considered as one of the possible choices. Additionally, public comment was solicited regarding the project through use of an informational handout. Twenty-three (23) comment forms were received. Some of the comment forms were requests to be added to the mailing list.