The lack of street trees along Main Street and Division North exposes vulnerable groups to summer heat exhaustion. This issue is made worse by the high volume of traffic, including large trucks and their exhausts, which intensify heat in these areas.
Status: Blocked – Received by Mayor July 30, waiting on Town to respond.
An 82-year-old tourist from Michigan suffered heat exhaustion due to insufficient shade while navigating Main Street. This issue was also noted by a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee at our July meetup.
Because many tourists choose Kingsville for its walkability and charming downtown, this could impact Kingsville’s brand. And, as summers get hotter and longer, and traffic continues to increase, this problem will only get worse.
Proposed Solution: Install temporary shade sails over benched areas, such as the Town Square, to provide immediate relief and enhance pedestrian comfort without requiring extensive infrastructure changes.
If this is not a project the Town can address quickly and easily, Strong Towns Kingsville is prepared to lead the initiative. We are ready to coordinate with stakeholders, including local businesses and the BIA, and pursue fundraising efforts through grants or other sources as needed.
Next Step: If installation is permitted by the Town, we can draft a detailed proposal with estimated costs, specific locations, and potential funding sources.
Funding: open to funding from sponsors, fundraisers, the BIA, local businesses, or grants.
If you’d like to share feedback about this project or get involved, post in the comments below, or email info@kingsvillestrong.com.
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