FTU Staff Editorial: Jax Can't Afford Mobility Plan's Streetcar

[thelakelander]

Count the TU's Phil Fretz as another who has either not read or understands the concept of the mobility plan and the funding mechanism being the projects in it.

Can we afford a 'fascinating concept'?

Submitted by Phil Fretz on August 15, 2011 - 11:55am

If you're excited about the proposal to bring streetcars back to Jacksonville, I don't blame you. It's a fascinating concept.

Of course, the Skyway Express once was a fascinating concept, too. So, let's just say "fascinating concept" isn't exactly synonymous with "wise idea."

Streetcars would be fun, at least at first, and they presumably would attract some tourists â€" mostly people passing down Interstate 95 on the way to Orlando or Miami.

But we're told that it would cost about $71 million to build the system. And, on top of that, there would be the annual expense of running it.

In case you've forgotten, we're looking at a budget shortfall of tens of millions of dollars next fiscal year. Is this really a good time to run up the city's bills?

"Some of the costs," you counter, "could be covered by special fees on new development."

Yes. But do we really want to increase the cost of new development when we have double-digit unemployment?

"Wait a minute," you say. "Streetcars could revitalize downtown."

That's a rather dubious talking point.

Do you know why people don't go downtown much? It's a long drive and, frankly, the dining and shopping options are rather limited.

How often do you think they're going to drive some place they don't want to go (downtown) simply to ride the streetcars?

Hint: How often do they drive downtown to ride the Skyway? How often do they drive to Mayport to enjoy using the St. Johns River Ferry?

Streetcars would be fun. But, in the city's current budget situation,  we can't afford that much fun.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/406107/phil-fretz/2011-08-15/can-we-afford-fascinating-concept

[iMarvin]

This editorial has so much ignorance in it, it's not funny. It's seriously just sad. For someone to just say all this stuff and not even be right about one bit of it is just sad. I can guarantee you there was no studying done before he wrote that.

[thelakelander]

None indeed.  I left a reply that includes a link to the City's Mobilty Plan information page, so Phil can brush up on it and reconsider what he wrote about something that Jax is actually winning statewide planning awards for.  Luckily, the 2030 Mobility Plan has already been adopted by the state, approved by council and none of the projects in it rely on asking taxpayers for money or their approval.

[Tacachale]

I've said it elsewhere, but Lake, I really encourage you to write into the TU. He's just so off the mark with this, to the tune of millions of dollars and even where the stupid thing would be located. Hell, if what he was saying were actually true, I'd oppose it too.

[Charles Hunter]

Fretz doesn't like much of anything more modern than the era of the Edsel.

[Lunican]

It's crazy that the streetcar project is too expensive but multi billion dollar outer beltway dreams are just fine.

[thelakelander]

I've said it elsewhere, but Lake, I really encourage you to write into the TU. He's just so off the mark with this, to the tune of millions of dollars and even where the stupid thing would be located. Hell, if what he was saying were actually true, I'd oppose it too.

I'm actually writing both Larry Hannan and Phil Fretz an email right now that I will post here when completed.  I'm offering them an olive branch to gain better understanding of something that we're actually winning statewide planning awards and gaining national attention for.

[duvaldude08]

These people are complete idiots. They are a prime example of what holds out city back. Just stupid/

[thelakelander]

It's crazy that the streetcar project is too expensive but multi billion dollar outer beltway dreams are just fine.

The mobility plan has $50 million for a streetcar between DT and Riverside and $30 million (local match for FTA funds) for a DMU commuter rail line between DT (JRTC) and the airport.  For $80 million Jax could end up with a starter fixed transit system stretching from Riverside and downtown through Durkeeville, Springfield and the Northside to River City Marketplace in five to ten years. 

For comparisons sake, taxpayers paid more than $80 million for two Kernan Blvd overpasses at Beach and Atlantic.  Seriously, are we going to have to debate which mobility investment will Jax benefit from the most?

One that gets you to the next stoplight a minute faster or one that connects most of Jacksonville's densest and transit friendly areas to DT, multiple medical centers and the airport?

[Tacachale]

I've said it elsewhere, but Lake, I really encourage you to write into the TU. He's just so off the mark with this, to the tune of millions of dollars and even where the stupid thing would be located. Hell, if what he was saying were actually true, I'd oppose it too.

I'm actually writing both Larry Hannan and Phil Fretz an email right now that I will post here when completed.  I'm offering them an olive branch to gain better understanding of something that we're actually winning statewide planning awards and gaining national attention for.

Glad to hear it, Lake. I hope to see it on the opinions page.

[iMarvin]

None indeed.  I left a reply that includes a link to the City's Mobilty Plan information page, so Phil can brush up on it and reconsider what he wrote about something that Jax is actually winning statewide planning awards for.  Luckily, the 2030 Mobility Plan has already been adopted by the state, approved by council and none of the projects in it rely on asking taxpayers for money or their approval.

I honestly think you're just wasting your time. These people are just going to be opposed no matter what type or amount of factual information is given.

[thelakelander]

Here is what I just sent them:

Hey guys,

I hope all is well.  I wanted to shoot both of you a quick email to offer some facts about the streetcar project mentioned in Larry's article the other day.  I think the way its being explained is doing a huge disservice to the public and the work put into it because of a general misunderstanding of what it is, how it will be funded and the reasoning behind it.

First, it's not a Brown transition team idea.  It's one of nine priority projects (2 mass transit, 7 road widening projects)  intended to be funded and paid for by the 2030 Mobility Plan and Fee, which will soon replace our existing concurrency system.  This thing has been in the works and in public hearings for well over two years now and has already been adopted by the State and approved by Council.  The implementation ordinance is in the process of being written now and it's winning statewide planning awards.  The Brown transportation committee simply endorsed its support of the 2030 Mobility Plan, which happens to include a streetcar as the priority mobility improvement for Riverside's mobility zone over the consideration of more expensive and historic district damaging roadway widening projects.

With that said, although downtown would certainly economically benefit from better connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods, this project isn't a downtown project.  It also doesn't cost $71 million.  The mobility fee, which will be generated by "concurrency" payments of new development within Riverside's mobility zone only allocates $50 million for two phases.  $36 million for phase one between downtown and Five Points and $14 million for an extension to the Park & King District.  Destinations directly served include Hyatt, East Bay Street, Landing, Omni, CSX, JRTC/Convention Center, the skyway (extends transit connectivity to Southbank and FSCJ), Brooklyn, Everbank, Fidelity, BCBS, RAM, Cummer, Memorial Park, Five Points, St. Vincents and Park & King.  In addition, the mobility fee also is expected to generate $31 million or so as a local match for a commuter rail line between JRTC and the airport.  That corridor, which would also offer better freight rail access from JAXPORT to the FEC Bowden Yard, would serve destinations such as EWC, Durkeeville, Shands, the new VA Clinic, Springfield, Brentwood, Panama Park, Imeson/Busch Brewery, River City Marketplace and Shands proposed North Campus.  It also allows for direct shuttle connections to JIA. 

If these mobility zones generate the concurrency income that is anticipated by the 2030 Multimodal Transportation Study, Jax would have a pretty decent urban transit system for $80 million developed in the next 5 to 10 years and economically benefit from all of the TOD associated with it.

By comparison, we paid $90 million combined for two Kernan overpasses at Beach and Atlantic in 2009 and 2010.  If we seriously compare the two, which do you really think would benefit the city the most?  In addition, through FDOT and the BJP, taxpayers have paid over $200 million this past decade on Collins Road alone and no one has raised the question if Jacksonville can afford this and the long term subsidization of expensive roadway projects under construction (ex. 9B) and the Outer Beltway (to be announced tomorrow). 

Also, in regards to operational costs for this particular streetcar project, its pretty close in length to Milwaukee's.  Milwaukee's annual O&M is estimated to be between $2.6 and $3.8 million.  They plan to pay this expense with a combination of farebox revenue, city parking revenue and state/federal transit aid.  There's no reason to fret this out.  The path to covering O&M is paved for us by multiple peer cities across the US that are leaving Jacksonville in the dust economically. 

http://www.milwaukeeconnector.com/

Milwaukee has decided to move forward because economic studies indicate the project will generate over 20,500 new jobs, 13,500 new residents and $3.35 billion in new tax base within a 1/4 mile radius of the streetcar route over a 20-year period.  I think we all can agree that urban Jacksonville would greatly benefit if even half that can be generated locally.

On the other hand, if fully built, the Outer Beltway could cost as much as $50 million in annual maintenance costs.  If we're looking for a transportation bull in the china shop, that's your real huckleberry.  In closing, the 2030 Mobility Plan is something that Jacksonville is winning statewide planning awards and gaining national recognition for.  Instead of cherry picking individual projects from a holistic plan that creates an integrated citywide transportation network that is coordinated with complementing land uses, we should be working to make sure it's properly implemented.  Just in case you're interested in getting into the details, here is a link to the mobility plan's website:

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Planning-and-Development/Community-Planning-Division/Mobility-Plan.aspx

Here, you'll find all the statistical data, maps, existing and future roadway traffic counts, cost estimates, land use policies and mobility fee calculations associated with the 2030 Mobility Plan.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I'll be more than happy to meet with you and answer them.

[thelakelander]

None indeed.  I left a reply that includes a link to the City's Mobilty Plan information page, so Phil can brush up on it and reconsider what he wrote about something that Jax is actually winning statewide planning awards for.  Luckily, the 2030 Mobility Plan has already been adopted by the state, approved by council and none of the projects in it rely on asking taxpayers for money or their approval.

I honestly think you're just wasting your time. These people are just going to be opposed no matter what type or amount of factual information is given.

Probably, but having a good online archive factual data makes it easy to pull up information when immediately needed for those who are willing to open their minds.

[iMarvin]

None indeed.  I left a reply that includes a link to the City's Mobilty Plan information page, so Phil can brush up on it and reconsider what he wrote about something that Jax is actually winning statewide planning awards for.  Luckily, the 2030 Mobility Plan has already been adopted by the state, approved by council and none of the projects in it rely on asking taxpayers for money or their approval.

I honestly think you're just wasting your time. These people are just going to be opposed no matter what type or amount of factual information is given.

Probably, but having a good online archive factual data makes it easy to pull up information when immediately needed for those who are willing to open their minds.

You're right, didn't think about that.

[thelakelander]

People in a huff over inaccurate info.  Btw, an aquarium will easily run you over $100 million.

DOWNTOWN

Local answer needed

Excellent column Sunday from Ron Littlepage about getting serious about downtown.

If the Times-Union wanted to pick a controversial subject, a new trolley system is just that.

What produces favorable results in other cities won't necessarily work in Jacksonville. People create businesses, jobs and spending. Services and retail will be sustained and grown in a quality environment.

I do not think it is cost-effective to shuffle businesses from the burbs unless the workers are willing to live downtown. I live 10 minutes from downtown by car, but where is my incentive to bypass three vibrant neighborhoods on my way into the core?

A "Downtown Authority" would be able to say to prospective developers and lenders: "You build it (retrofit workforce housing), and we will fill it."

This public/private commitment is necessary to facilitate the path to vibrancy.

Dicker Jackson,

Jacksonville


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STEETCAR A BAD IDEA

How about an aquarium?

The transition team advising Mayor Alvin Brown suggested that he consider a streetcar public transit option for the downtown area at an estimated cost of $71 million.

Does the transition team think that people will use a streetcar system just because it's a streetcar rather than a trolley on wheels?

The wheeled trolley can go anywhere that the traffic mandates. A streetcar on fixed tracks is limited to only such routes.

It is the opinion of this writer that the $71 million could be put to much better use as seed money for a downtown aquarium on the former Shipyards site, now vacant.

That could encourage civic minded Jacksonville corporations to contribute to the initial construction cost. Jacksonville has many businesses that could step up.

At present, the only attraction for families in the downtown area is the Museum of Science and History.

An aquarium would be a major tourist destination for families. So, if the city has $71 million to invest, don't spend it to duplicate a transit system already in place that has more flexibility than streetcars on tracks.

Paul Schaefer,

Jacksonville

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2011-08-17/story/letters-readers-disturbing-report