City cans unpopular sidewalk plans

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BOCA RATON, Fla., July 20 (UPI) -- A Florida city said it has canceled plans to install sidewalks in a neighborhood due to survey returns indicating residents are against the plan.

Mike Woika, assistant Boca Raton city manager, said sidewalks will not be installed in the Chatham Hills neighborhood as part of the city's Safe Routes to School program after the survey, which had a 33 percent return rate, found 31 percent of those who responded did not want the sidewalks while only 24 percent were in favor of the project, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Friday.

"It could be revisited at some point in the future," Woika said.

The project would use used $80,000 from the city's general funds for the sidewalks. Officials said less than $2,000 has already been spent planning the project.

Woika said there are several benefits to installing sidewalks.

"The city believes that sidewalks, bikeways and mixed use pathways -- for biking, jogging, and walking -- provide a number of benefits for the city and its residents, including opportunities for alternate transportation, as well as recreational and health benefits," Woika said. "Sidewalks provide additional safety to pedestrians -- specifically children, but also adults."