San Marco neighborhood cat prompts campaign to reduce speed limit

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Several neighbors in San Marco argue “20 is plenty” in a push to drop the speed limit from 30 miles per hour and drive awareness about pedestrian safety.

The campaign started with a neighbor named Elvis, the neighborhood cat who likes to nap in the road.

“That cat could be your dog running across the street, your domestic, or your child riding their bike,” Rachael Harris said. She moved to Felch Avenue four years ago. “San Marco is a family-friendly neighborhood.”

Local News: Nocatee parents throw “mask-erade” prom for high school seniors

Like other neighbors, she’s concerned about children getting hurt in the street.

There are no sidewalks, and families walk alongside cars on the road. The speed limit there is currently 30 mph, similar to most Jacksonville residential neighborhoods.

According to a Smart Growth American study, Jacksonville is ranked the tenth most dangerous city for pedestrians this year. Florida leads the country in pedestrian deaths per capita.

“We have young children who live here. They should be able to catch a ball in the middle of the street,” Lisa Wright said. She’s lived in the neighborhood for nearly 40 years and started the Elvis project, which she named after the cat.

Wright said signs are free, but they do accept donations.

Councilmember Matt Carlucci also lives in San Marco and is in the process of dropping the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph in his own neighborhood.

Local News: ‘Friends of A1A’ organization to remove trash cans from beaches

He told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that he agrees “20 is plenty” and wants to eventually see it as a standard in most Jacksonville residential neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods in Jacksonville must have at least 75% of homeowners sign on in order for the city to reduce the speed limit. Neighbors also must pay the costs associated with having the signs replaced.

Cox Media Group