Brown's Team Suggests Trolley System in DT; Would It Be Another Skyway?

[iMarvin]

iMarvin, I wouldn't worry about this. People say this in every city about downtowns and suburbs.  My advice to those who would like to see downtown revitalized would be to stop worrying about trying to appeal to suburbanites and work on appealing to urbanites.  A quality metro area should have environments that appeal to all and why bother for suburban support if you don't need their money for revitalization (which I believe we don't)?

I guess your right.

[AFCassidy]

I know this isn't really about the skyway... but does anyone know how much would it cost to "complete" the network and connect Riverside and the stadium? 

[Ocklawaha]

I know this isn't really about the skyway... but does anyone know how much would it cost to "complete" the network and connect Riverside and the stadium?

Ball park guess, about $30-$50 million per mile x about 5 miles.

OCKLAWAHA

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

just for context, Ock, how much would it cost to widen a 4 lane HWY to 6 Lanes for the same distance?

[thelakelander]

A new four lane highway according to 2009 FDOT estimates: $16,787,411/mile x 5 miles = $83,937,055

A new six lane highway according to 2009 FDOT estimates: $20,541,501/mile x 5 miles = $102,707,505

Going from 4 to 6 lanes according to 2009 FDOT estimates: $12,484,412/mile x 5 miles = $62,422,060

Not included in costs:

Intersections/Interchanges, improvements on cross streets, bridges over 20', right-of-way, landscaping, ITS and traffic signals.

The streetcar would come in somewhere between $5 to $15 million/mile depending on the type of technology and number of "frills" included in it.

[Ocklawaha]

STREETCAR


SKYWAY

What was with this stupid Times-Union Photo? Talk about confusing the subject.

OCKLAWAHA

[Bativac]

Bativac, You are about the same age that I was when I proposed the streetcar 30 years ago, had I given up the fight the first time JTA stomped all over it, you probably wouldn't be reading anything about streetcars in Jacksonville. Take heart my young friend, NEVER SURRENDER - NEVER GIVE UP!

OCKLAWAHA

Ock, I admire your tenacity and enthusiasm. But I think my wife and I are to the point where we'd rather go someplace that has what we're looking for, rather than waiting and hoping that my hometown is somehow going to miraculously come to its senses. I have an attachment to the place. My wife, on the other hand, isn't from here and has zero inclination to stick around.

Older folks here, for the most part, feel like downtown is dead and don't want any money spent revitalizing the area. They have cars and don't want any money spent on public transportation. Younger folks, like myself and my peers, aren't keen on sticking around waiting for the older folks to suddenly come to their senses.

[Ajax]

I think we're closer than ever.  Five years ago, this wasn't even a topic. My prediction is by the end of this decade, you'll see at least two forms of new rail service operating in or through this city.

That's an excellent point.  Even though I knew that the transition committee had mentioned these types of projects, I was pretty shocked to see this story in the T-U today. 

[letters and numbers]

Bativac, You are about the same age that I was when I proposed the streetcar 30 years ago, had I given up the fight the first time JTA stomped all over it, you probably wouldn't be reading anything about streetcars in Jacksonville. Take heart my young friend, NEVER SURRENDER - NEVER GIVE UP!

OCKLAWAHA

Ock, I admire your tenacity and enthusiasm. But I think my wife and I are to the point where we'd rather go someplace that has what we're looking for, rather than waiting and hoping that my hometown is somehow going to miraculously come to its senses. I have an attachment to the place. My wife, on the other hand, isn't from here and has zero inclination to stick around.

Older folks here, for the most part, feel like downtown is dead and don't want any money spent revitalizing the area. They have cars and don't want any money spent on public transportation. Younger folks, like myself and my peers, aren't keen on sticking around waiting for the older folks to suddenly come to their senses.

you know I think things are changing faster than you think but goodbye!

[thelakelander]

Bativac, I don't blame you.  I tend to travel to take care of my fix.  However, I do enjoy being a part of change.  I wrap up my Jax experience with a quote from the movie Troy:

"If you stay in Larissa, you will find peace. You will find a wonderful woman, and you will have sons and daughters, who will have children. And they'll all love you and remember your name. But when your children are dead, and their children after them, your name will be forgotten... If you go to Troy, glory will be yours. They will write stories about your victories in thousands of years! And the world will remember your name. But if you go to Troy, you will never come back... for your glory walks hand-in-hand with your doom. And I shall never see you again."

Crazy as it sounds, I kind of see fighting to turn Jax into something truly special in the same light.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

hahaha, Let the, "Lakelander as the new, black Brad Pitt" discussion start.   

[RiversideLoki]

Tell ya what.. John Malseed sure is in a huff!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Tell ya what.. John Malseed sure is in a huff!

http://www.youtube.com/v/sNPnbI1arSE?

[thelakelander]

I'm cool with Malseed.  I love debates where you can run circles around someone because they refuse to dig into or present factual data.  If I can convince just one silent observer, during such an exercise, then I've done my good deed for the day.

[fieldafm]

rather than waiting and hoping that my hometown is somehow going to miraculously come to its senses.

Nothing against you personally.. but frankly, this town needs more people that will make it happen and less people sitting around waiting for it to happen.

No matter where you live or what you do in life... you have to be the change you want to see.  No one else is going to do it for you.