Residents of Curlew Trails asked the City Commission on July 17 to reopen a pedestrian bridge that previously connected Weybridge and Curlew Trails and provided safer access to the Pinellas Trail.
Speakers including Armando Galella, a Curlew Trails resident, said the bridge is a public structure and argued the city has a duty to maintain it; Galella warned that a prolonged closure reduces walkability and increases vehicle trips. Other residents said the bridge had been open for more than 20 years, that some homeowners had granted easements for public access, and asked the city to prioritize reopening while those easements remain in place.
Staff responded that the bridge is closed for safety and that municipal discretion applies; the city manager said the issue will be discussed during the budget workshops starting the next day and that staff has been in communication with residents. The manager noted the city would need to follow procurement and budget procedures and cautioned that restoring access may require legal easements or other approvals before repairs proceed.
Ending: Commissioners said they will include discussion of the bridge and potential easement/legal steps in the budget workshop agenda; residents were asked to follow up with city staff to provide documentation and contact information.