The City of Tallahassee hosted a celebration at “Under the Over”, located on FAMU way near the Bronough Street overpass for the opening of the first phase Thursday evening just days before Florida A&M’s homecoming game.
The new and improved roundabout will create a new east-west roadway connecting Wahnish Way and Lake Bradford Road. The roundabout will serve as a compliment to the City of Tallahassee as well as provide an improved, safer roadway and enhanced mobility to improve local traffic flow.
Residents, city officials, and others gathered for the celebration of the newest addition to the city.
FAMU architecture students collaborated with the city of Tallahassee and participated in the design of the plaza.
Many were able to enjoy performances by the Marching 100 alumni band members, cheerleaders, and a special light show at the stormwater pond that evening.
State representative Alan Williams believes the roundabout will give FAMU a more pleasing look.
“We already have a beautiful campus, but FAMU way accentuates what we already have,” Williams said. “Now we have a beautiful gateway where folks can come and when they show up they will know they’re in rattler land.”
Williams added that the light show resembled what FAMU is all about: Creativity, energy and excitement.
Regina Mickens, a FAMU alumna was moved by the celebration.
“I was ecstatic to experience the new edition on FAMU way. I remember when it was only a dirt lot. It’s amazing how much the campus has changed in the two years since I graduated. The campus is absolutely beautiful and I’m excited to see how much the campus will grow in the future,” Mickens said.
FAMU way is expected to be one of the most beautiful roadways in Tallahassee featuring wide sidewalks, on-street parking, four-roundabouts, three-color brick paving features and many other amenities.
FAMU president Elmira Mangum expressed her gratitude for the opening ceremony.
“I think the opening of the roundabout is very important and it is a great entry way into Florida A&M’s campus. If you look right it has all of our insignia on it and it has a great accent and bordering fact to display our greatness,” Mangum said.
Mangum added how the roundabout is a great edition to the city and expressed how thankful she is for the city thinking about FAMU as they put everything together.
Phase one of this three phase project is expected to be completed by 2016. The second phase will include extending the road to Gamble Street. The third phase of construction will extend FAMU Way to Lake Bradford Road and is projected to be completed by 2018.
For more information visit https://www.talgov.com/famuway/famuway-proj-overview.aspx.