BRT Contemplation

[rainbow jax]

June 14, 2007

Mr. Mike Miller
JTA

Dear Sir:
As both a north bank downtown resident and a business owner for many years, I recognize the real importance and impact to our downtown of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.  I may offer a unique voice to revised routes being contemplated for the bus system at this time toward Bay, Forsyth, Adams, and possibly Monroe Streets, because I am an original resident of the historic 11 East building located on Main Street and Forsyth Streets, as well as a business owner located off of Main Street on West Adams Street.  Also, I am currently preparing a new annex for my business that is located near Hemming Plaza on West Monroe Street, plus I have an outlet at the Jacksonville Landing.   I personally will be directly impacted on three major streets of downtown Jacksonville regarding such transit changes. 

The new downtown Starbucks (a national retailer) is located on the corner of my residence at Forsyth and Main Streets.  Sunday morning I took the opportunity to sit at their sidewalk table and survey the numerous buses already running down Forsyth Street.  I observed customers who recoiled while sitting at the tables when some of the buses were running at full speed, creating tremendous noise and wind-whack as they press on to meet schedule.  And this is at the current schedule of transit along Forsyth Street… not conducive to peaceful enjoyment of life downtown, but tolerable out of necessity.  National anchors, whom we need to attract, pay heed to citizen dissatisfaction.

As a business owner on West Adams Street, I have faced and endured numerous challenges that can be anticipated when a city is undergoing revitalization.  There remain obstacles, at a minimum to mention, of empty lots with loose dirt, construction fencing into the road lanes, dilapidated older structures facing massive make-overs, and an ongoing outcry for street parking in our developing business core that is particularly critical on West Adams Street.  During business hours I observe buses  traveling West Adams Street causing pedestrians and customers to flinch and shrink back from the roadway, due to the tornado-like noise and unacceptable dust and dirt hurled toward our sidewalks, radiating from the existing construction projects.   This negatively impacts patio dining and sidewalk café ambiance.  Customers have complained to me regarding this issue, and it does not bode well for attracting people off of Laura Street and onto West Adams Street to shop.  Again, this is at the current state-of-affairs, causing alarm regarding plans to enlarge these mentioned unpleasantries into potential poison, rather than an elixir, for our downtown environment. 

I am dedicated to our north bank and I care about the people who live and work here, which is why I am preparing a business annex on West Monroe Street near Hemming Plaza, but I am becoming increasingly uneasy that my pledge outweighs some decision-maker’s understanding of how to create healthy revitalization on our north bank into the vibrant, first-class city named “Jacksonville” of the USA.  Surely decision-makers have not grown so callous as to ignore the commitment entrepreneurs and citizens have made these past many years to the north bank downtown, only to indifferently increase obstacles, disregarding small business and public desire?  West Adams Street is one of a handful of streets that are arteries creating lifeblood to the heart of our city and Hemming Plaza.   Forsyth, Adams, and Monroe Streets are the budding residential and retail streets, and increasing bus traffic into a highway-like road will contribute to diminishing, not enhancing, progressive downtown development.   We need a plan that is sensible, one with respect for both retail impact and the transportation needs of our community.

Prior quietly made, non-inclusive decisions in Jacksonville have illustrated that solutions formed from narrow contribution can become an expensive calamity, particularly when retail considerations are not computed into the equation within the business environment, and during a period of budget cuts.  Numerous small business owners claim that they were not properly informed of the BRT intended changes, and that the “Sunshine Law exists not just for inviting land owners to meetings, but for the public-at-large to participate”.  Regardless of whether that claim is inaccurate, the perception alone demonstrates failure to communicate well with those greatly effected, and that in itself is a detriment to the BRT reputation and success.

The BRT should thoughtfully reconsider plans, possibly developing north with contemplation of Church Street, and also Union and State Streets where the current central system is located…  with a concept developed intending to better tie into the existing trolley system and skyway, encouraging input from a more broadly experienced community voice, to include higher erudition.  After all, we are the people BRT serve.

Sincerely,
Susann Marino
Shugar Shack Chocolatier

[gatorback]

I love Chocolate.  Will your new store sell chocolate as well?

[jbm32206]

I'm curious as to what, if any, response you receive from your letter. You make several valid points, of which should certainly be taken into consideration.

[02roadking]

I love Chocolate.  Will your new store sell chocolate as well?

She has been at the ground floor of the Carling for a while now. She has all kinds of good stuff.

[gatorback]

Does she blog much?