Florida East Coast Corridor Meeting (live)

[Ocklawaha]

I'm in Daytona Beach, at city hall attending the Florida East Coast Railway corridor meeting. At this point, ONCE AGAIN, there appears to be no one else from Jacksonville.

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

We are being briefed on the history of the project. Focus is on the ill fated start in 1980, and again in the 1990's. There appears to be about 100 people present.

The plan from, 2009/10 was several trains daily, but after Amtrak got shot down, they've come back with a proposal for just one train. Sadly the liability issue caused the original proposal to be canceled. Now that liability is taken care of, Florida is stumbling along with a proposal for just ONE train a day.

The FECI proposal compliments the Amtrak proposal. In the system model, both systems will work together.

[Ocklawaha]

The cost for the FEC RY/CSX connection in West Palm Beach will cost over $50 million dollars, so they are looking for another answer.

Todd Stennis VP of Amtrak is speaking, thanking the combined communities and supporters for the grass roots effort that pushed this through in Tallahassee and took care of liability. Amtrak needs ANOTHER study to rework the ridership/cost analysis.

[thelakelander]

No surprise.  FEC's recent proposal to operate their own passenger rail service still has not been covered by local media outside of this site.

[Ocklawaha]

As usual, I questioned Amtrak's VP about the proposed JTA south Jacksonville station, which was a subject of discussion in a previous meeting in St. Augustine. Stennis said they have not heard a single word from the City or JTA on either the south side station and possible link with the Skyway.

Also the proposed Atlanta-Jacksonville plan put forward by the US Secretary of transportation hasn't moved as there has been ZERO support from the COJ and Florida in general. It cannot be linked to the FEC corridor because of the lack of vocal support.

BUNNELL's representative stood and asked about a stop in their community. Room laughs as they have been VERY vocal, they were given 'hope' at least not an absolute NO.

SUNRAIL's Ms. Gurney is now speaking, said they will be running about 32 trains daily. SR is in complete charge of the 60 mile system. SR will do all dispatching and traffic control. Track work is moving forward in Debarry, and stations are going up now, dirt IS MOVING. Once it is operational in 2014, State of Florida will be taking care of all funds needed for operations. Lessons learned as stations required 3 environmental studies, because it they were not clear about the station footprints and because Maitland now wants an additional station.

With regards to station development, funding partners were offered 2 station designs with a small choice of furniture, stations in Longwood and Winter Park asked for a different type of station, which will be done at their own cost, over and above that of basic plan and basic station choices. Each station will have mini-high platforms, and lifts, to cover the level boarding requirements with the feds. Lesson learned, LIMIT the selections for stations and furnishings and keep a fairy well defined style that will make each station shout SUNRAIL.

One station was going to be built by a developer, but when the economy tanked, the developer was no where to be found. This left Sunrail with an approved station and TOD, in vacant land. Lesson learned? KEEP CONTROL of your station planning.

[thelakelander]

Yes, the communities down there are being proactive.  I was in a meeting earlier this week where they are searching for immediate and long term solutions to connect Sunrail and West Volusia with Daytona Beach.

[Ocklawaha]

Yes, i am ABSOLUTELY the ONLY PERSON from NE Florida in the room. Mayors, everywhere, DDA's, Chambers, Airports, Transit agencies, from the entire line. At LEAST 75 people, and at most 150 in the chambers now.

Mayor Garcia, of DeBary is now speaking. Talking about walkable city idea. Young executives, keep your city able to walk where ever they want to go. Connect it with transit. Make is seamless. DeBary is going to connect the station with a comprehensive bike/pedestrian trails. We gave every place on the line 2 options, develop TOD, or connect into the system with your own business. (this guy sounds like he is reading a Lakelander - Ocklawaha script). INVEST in our future, he is telling us. Automobiles and planes are not the future. If we go rail, we'll be able to build a new Florida. Don't over regulate our businesses, make it easy to do business. If you want to keep taxes down, let's create development with higher density, increase building heights, save our real estate and our state. We can create new jobs, it's in front of you ladies and gentlemen, and you larger cities already have the infrastructure to build on what we have, small locations like DeBary or Bunnell must haul it all in. SELL YOUR VISION. Now pointing to me, 'Sir, DON'T QUIT, KEEP YOUR VISION, MAKE IT HAPPEN' (reference to my previous question to Amtrak about Atlanta Trains, and Skyway connections). We can make Florida, empower yourselves. Developers are saying to invest in Central Florida requires years of work and many applications... Don't over regulate or they'll build your dreams in Atlanta.

OCK NOTE: THIS GUY IS A HELL OF A GOOD SPEAKER! We need to book him to our first 'JAXTRAX' meeting.

Why make the building process so long, we looked at 1/2 or 1/4 mile, we are building trails and wide sidewalks, restoration of our bijou and connecting all of this, with our residents and businesses, which will seamlessly connect to our trails. Jacksonville residents' can bring your bicycles, get off the train and ride.

To get on these trains is not going to be 2 years out if I have to get these turtles out by myself, we're getting it done NOW.
The cost to us for building roads is too expensive. The cost of gas is going sky high. We need to make this happen now. Many of the cities are doing what the politicians want, they are not doing what the people want, let's start that revolution right here, right now.

[Ocklawaha]

John Omana, Community Development Director for Lake Mary is now speaking.

We identified a 10 acre site for a train station back in 1991, when Sunrail came along, we dusted of the plans and went to work. The station is right downtown, 2.2 and 10 acres respectively. Developers lined up at the door and were upset by the lack of land. We created a TDR for transfer of developmental real estate, through the TDR developers can buy entitlements for building more units, taller units, dense units, and by selling these entitlements we are making money. Some of these tiny private developmental properties.

We have a small 2.2 acre plot that lines up with the train platform, it is a private piece of property platted in 1923, with 33' wide lots. We dropped many of our requirements while keeping control, and now our station is going to be a 4 story 'mini-Grand Central Station.'

Since the very beginning of SunRail, when the City of Lake Mary became aware that DOT was proposing a train station in Lake Mary,a proactive effort was started to ensure that the regulatory tabs was in place to help foster a successful system. To date some of the steps the City has taken are:

The boundaries of Downtown were expanded east to include an additional 45 acres and a new master plan was created to envision Transit Orientated Development patterns.
amended the Land Use around the SunRail Station in Downtown Development District DDD TO SUPPORT HIGH DENSITY. The COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMNT CORRDINATED 42 LAND USE AMENDMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN THE EXPANDED DOWNTOWN AREA, AMENDING LOW DENSITY LAND USES TO THE ddd LAND USE. this CHANGE SUPPORTS DENSITIES AND INTENSITIES.

obtained A PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITMENT TO CONSTRUCT MASS TRANSIT STTION BUILDING ABUTTING THE PUBIC STATION PLATFORM.

The TDR is being put in place to allow private property owners to purchase density rights from City-owned properties. This will provide for higher densities in target area's within the Downtown.

A sensory park is currently being designed on public property adjacent to the station and Palmetto Ave. Plans also include a section devoted to Lake Mary Heritage.

An entry feature is being designed at he intersection of W. Lake Mary Bl and Palmetto Ave.

Associated pedestrian and traffic improvements, including a traffic circle are programmed in the area to assist in pedestrian flow from the Sun Rail station to other areas of Downtown. The city is coordinating with Seminole County in a transfer of ownership of N. Country Club Road from the County to the City.

[JeffreyS]

Hopefully things like this will not be ignored after the change in JTA's focus. Mr. Mayor I stood up and said I am with Alvin I expect Alvin to be with big opportunities like the FEC rail line. Find someone to represent you these meetings and call Amtrak today.

[Ocklawaha]

Florida East Coast DOES want to be engaged with the communities, forums and pushing this plan/s forward. FEC is reaching out to local governments...

OCK NOTE but of course local governments MUST reach back and use this information.

Amtrak speaking, every one of these comments is spot on to our needs, Sunrail, and FECI, we'd like for you participate. Once Amtrak gets the updated market study, they will set up what improvements  need to be done, and the capacity improvements.

FDOT speaking, Amtak will set up it's absolute requirements for bare bones stations, we'll pay 80%, if a city wants a station more then the minimums it will be their responsibility. Don't think that $118 miiion is NOT an entitlement the fact is if we can do it for less WE WILL. Nobody will be required to spend a minimum amount. Just the basic station, everything else is up to you. That money becomes available for turning dirt in July of next year, but call for projects will be issued in July. Make sure your plans, TPO, budget etc. is in place. Cities will only need a 20% match. At the very least get a place holder in your plans so grant approval can be made based on a consistent desire/plan.

DAYTONA BEACH, we would like to see the train running in time for the Daytona 500,  next year.  Everyone laughs.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, has a officer present, and is assembling a task force for a station.

Unbelievably, the STATE liability amendment finally went through in Tallahassee, just 12 minutes before the legislative session adjourned. Everyone 'cheered'

Daytona Beach, wrapping up the meeting is talking about a plan they have to purchase a few 'PRIVATE RAILROAD CARS, AKA: PV's' and being able to run them on the rear of Amtrak, Sunrail and FECI trains for all sorts of special occasions. Interesting concept since Jacksonville once hosted the 'Subtropical Exposition' complete with giant exhibit buildings worthy of a worlds fair, as well as gardens, shops and all of the trimmings. Looking through the order books of the Pullman Company, one will find that Jacksonville too, once had PV's that toured the country. Amazing. Gee, wonder if we have a 747 hidden away in a airport boiler room. Yeah, right!

This does drive home the point I made to JTA/FDOT/COJ in one of our public meetings. JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL needs to include a fenced, landscaped, PV track, traditionally closest to the station. When the Shahid Khan's of the world travel, this makes up leap to the front on their planning calendar.

THANK YOU'S GOING AROUND THE ROOM. MEETING IS WRAPPING UP.

[dougskiles]

Mayor Garcia, of DeBary is now speaking. Talking about walkable city idea. Young executives, keep your city able to walk where ever they want to go. Connect it with transit. Make is seamless. DeBary is going to connect the station with a comprehensive bike/pedestrian trails. We gave every place on the line 2 options, develop TOD, or connect into the system with your own business. (this guy sounds like he is reading a Lakelander - Ocklawaha script). INVEST in our future, he is telling us. Automobiles and planes are not the future. If we go rail, we'll be able to build a new Florida. Don't over regulate our businesses, make it easy to do business. If you want to keep taxes down, let's create development with higher density, increase building heights, save our real estate and our state. We can create new jobs, it's in front of you ladies and gentlemen, and you larger cities already have the infrastructure to build on what we have, small locations like DeBary or Bunnell must haul it all in. SELL YOUR VISION. Now pointing to me, 'Sir, DON'T QUIT, KEEP YOUR VISION, MAKE IT HAPPEN' (reference to my previous question to Amtrak about Atlanta Trains, and Skyway connections). We can make Florida, empower yourselves. Developers are saying to invest in Central Florida requires years of work and many applications... Don't over regulate or they'll build your dreams in Atlanta.

Wow.  That is what we need at Myrtle Avenue.  A little bit of cheerleading.  None of this walking around scared afraid to step on toes attitude.  In your face, this is how its done mentality is what we need (provided that they actually know what they're talking about...)

[thelakelander]

Don't over regulate or they'll build your dreams in Atlanta.

I love this quote.  It's so true.

[wsansewjs]

Think about this...

If Jacksonville doesn't get its shit together to open up the gateway of the railroads from the North to the rest of Florida, you can rest assure that Jacksonville would be responsible for choking the relevant economy down there.

-Josh

[JeffreyS]

Don't over regulate or they'll build your dreams in Atlanta.

Ock is that your comment or a quote from Mayor Garcia?

[exnewsman]

Great coverage Ock!