Skyway to Greenway?

[Ocklawaha]

Ock, would you turn the Skyway into a streetcar? The thing could move pretty fast on its elevated ROW.

There is merit in thinking that using the elevated structure for streetcar would not only be beneficial, it would put us in a leading role in transit rather then the proverbial tail of the dog. JTA says the structure is designed to handle 'light rail' vehicles, but in Jacksonville's case (our size/density) I would suggest that 'rapid streetcar' is a better and more economical/scaled approach to our needs. The following would add about 7,000 feet to the current elevated structures, but once done, no more elevated work would have to be added.  I do think that the 'ideal' would be to continue the elevated:

1.)   Through the length of Bay Street East at least to the area of the Hart Bridge Ramps. At that point a line could easily go on the ground and directly UNDER the freeway. Street trackage could eventually extend north on A. P. Randolph.

2.)   Across State Street, coming down to surface level north of that point in the FSCJ campus area, hence curve it along the south and west edge of the Springfield Parks in the grass, double track, sodded over with grass and landscaped all the way to UF Health.

3.)   In the Southside, continue and extend the elevated structure south over the Florida East Coast Railway and then bring the track down to the surface, entering Atlantic Blvd into San Marco Square.

4.)   In Brooklyn, the track would come down to the surface as it now does, then swing alongside Riverside Ave to Forrest Street, entering Riverside Avenue to Post to Oak to King to Park/College. King Street is an opportunity for a landscaped median/track.

5.)   At the Prime Osborne/JRTC the track could descend to the side of Bay Street rather then make the jog into the current Skyway Station (which could convert to the new Multi-Modal Terminal), hence to Myrtle and north into Durkeeville.

ULTIMATELY:

6.)   Trackage on the Southbank needs to be reconfigured with the inclusion of a line running from Healthy Town to Baptist, having two junctions one at or near the current San Marco Station and the other at or near the current King Street Station. This option would add another 2000 feet M/L to the elevated sections. It could set up a future surface/median expansion down Beach or Atlantic eastbound.

[UNFurbanist]

I like these ideas a lot! If only we had the funding 

[The_Choose_1]

I like these ideas a lot! If only we had the funding 

Raise taxes for all the people in Jacksonville Florida and we could pay for these other things we need. But this will never happen with Lenny in office. Damn even Brown didn't raise taxes. 

[UNFurbanist]

Ya, we need increased tax funding badly. I think the mayor should at very least put it to a referendum so he has deniability and can say it was the will of the people. Put a 5 year time limit on it and give us some options like:
1/2 cent sales tax increase for infrastructure
1/2 cent increase for downtown revitalization projects
1/2 cent increase for parks
1/2 cent increase for public safety

that way if we pass at least one or all of them, specific areas of importance to the city can get funded and maybe some dollars are freed up in the general fund to be used in other neglected areas. Personally I would vote yes on all of these, 2 1/2 cents in sales taxes seems like nothing to me if you can actually get something good out of it. Chicago charges like 10 so I think Jax charging around 3 is reasonable.

[thelakelander]

Seems like something similar to BJP is needed.  Whatever it is should probably include money for a lot of different interests and needs, assuming its backers want it to actually pass.

[CCMjax]

Seems like a sales tax as well as gas tax increase are inevitable.  I'm in favor of it if it saves the city from becoming a complete dump.  You barely notice these marginal increases anyway.  Unfortunately Curry just started his first term and wants to get reelected and raising taxes can be political suicide so we'll see if it actually gets done in the first term.