50 years of planning rapid transit system in Jax

[thelakelander]

Interesting. Five decades of talk....

50 years ago: Mayor Ritter outlines vision for Jacksonville's future

Compiled by Max Marbut

Before a crowd of more than 300 business and civic leaders, Mayor Louis Ritter unveiled his plan for developing Jacksonville into a regional center.

Addressing the seventh annual meeting of the Downtown Council of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Ritter shared what he referred to as his "outline for action."

The plan included reorganizing the city police department; improving education, including establishment of a junior college; pollution control; expanded outdoor recreation; a rapid transit system; airport and seaport development; utilization of available federal programs; and industrial development.

"I cannot promise the assured accomplishment of these objectives, but I shall promise a full measure of effort within the confines of my ability, knowledge and energy," Ritter said.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=544853

[spuwho]

I found the actual financial planning document by the city in 1973 that outlined the funding needed to support these initiatives.

Somewhere in the 1980's the transit initiatives got bushwhacked while the rest continued. The federally funded Skyway was the result.

Interesting because its not close to the scope they laid out in 1973.