City celebrates re-opening of Leslie Street

It wasn’t an ordinary ribbon cutting for just an ordinary street.

Rather, at a small gathering of Apalachicola and Franklin County leaders Monday morning, the ribbon was cut on the recently completed reopening of Leslie Street, a small street that runs alongside the Franklin County courthouse in Apalachicola.

For the past five years, this short but high-profile street, the first one visitors come to when they cross the bridge into the city from Eastpoint, has been closed off, marked instead by a pile of rocks that forced travelers to take a longer way around if they wanted to access parking behind the courthouse.

“We’re happy to see it open,” said Leslie Wallace-Coon, who co-owns the Side Street Art Studios and Gallery, at 21 Leslie Street. Together with Anne Eason, Cathy Christie and Ann Schwarting, they opened the gallery in October 2023. 

Wallace-Coon, as well as a host of other owners of nearby businesses and residents have pressed the Apalachicola city commission for several years to open the street, which has been marred by funding issues ever since it was initially closed in September 2020 after a cavity formed beneath the roadway during the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. 

Interim City Manager Bree Robinson said city staff promptly filed a claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency but that claim was denied during a site visit, as the damage was determined to be caused by prior storms and drainage issues. 

Although the city appealed FEMA’s decision, the appeal was unsuccessful, with final notification given February 2022.

She said city staff pursued alternative funding sources and applied for a Florida Department of Transportation M-SCOP (Small County Outreach Program for Municipalities) grant in April 2022. The city was awarded the project, and an agreement with FDOT was secured in August 2023.

To move the project forward, the city quickly awarded the design contract to Dewberry Engineers, and upon completion of the design plans, the project was bid out and awarded to Jason White Construction in July 2024. Construction officially commenced in September 2024 and was successfully completed last month. 

Robinson said the city was originally awarded a little over $610,000 for the Leslie Street project, but the total cost came in under budget at around $470,000. 

“This project has been a long time coming, and I know it has touched the lives of many of you in various ways,” said Apalachicola Mayor Brenda Ash. “From the initial planning stages to the final paving and striping, this undertaking represents a significant investment for the entrance into Apalachicola.”

She said the ribbon cutting marked a celebration of improved infrastructure, since the newly resurfaced street, along with the replacement of underground infrastructure, will provide a safer and more efficient thoroughfare.

“These improvements will make it easier and more enjoyable to walk, bike, and drive in this area,” she said. “The completion of this project will also contribute to a more vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for the businesses located along the street.

“An attractive streetscape is vital for our local businesses,” Ash said. “This project will enhance their visibility, accessibility, and overall appeal, helping them to thrive and continue to contribute to our local economy.”

The mayor thanked many individuals and groups for their dedication and hard work, including city staff, Dewberry Engineering, North Florida Construction, Inc. and Jason White Construction.

“Thank you to our local businesses and residents for their patience and understanding throughout the construction process. We know it wasn’t always easy, and we appreciate your cooperation,” she said. “Today marks a new chapter for Leslie Street. This street is not just a pathway; it is a connection – connecting our homes, our businesses, and our community.”