Nat Ford: Why Jax should invest in the future of transportation, Downtown

[marcuscnelson]

JTA's argument regarding this was that they intended to procure "multi-sensing vehicles" and tie it in with the TSP and cameras and other equipment they're putting into signal boxes and on poles. And that this together will make it work.

Nat Ford is claiming that they'll start Bay Street (within 2-3 years, apparently) in Level 3 with operators at first, then transition to Level 4 and move the operators into a control center to be "drone operators." Integrated software doesn't exist for this yet but apparently they expect to figure it out by the time Bay Street opens.

Came across this fun quote from last month when the JTA Board voted to go ahead with the project list:

"Now is not the time to reverse course," JTA board Chairwoman Ari Jolly said. "We are too far in the implementation of the U2C program."

She said not building the system would be turning "our backs on the progress and innovation of the city for generations to come."

Anyway, today's the day. Special meeting to decide on the LOGT increase. Either they go ahead with $247 million in funding to covert the Skyway, redirect it to other projects or kill the bill entirely.

I did my part, proposing an amendment to Morgan, DeFoor, Dennis, and Carrico. We'll see what comes of it, if anything. Beyond that, I'm sure it'll be an interesting day.

Special Council Meeting Re: Local Option Gas Tax & Septic Tanks
May 26, 2021
10:00 AM (If attending virtually, please join the meeting by 9:45 A.M.)
Physical Location: Council Chambers
City Hall
117 W. Duval Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Meeting ID: 962 3118 9138 (WITH STREAMING VIEWING OPTIONS ONLY)
Passcode: 45963

In accordance with the provisions of Council Rule 4.103, the Honorable Tommy Hazouri, President of the Jacksonville City Council hereby calls an In-Person (With Streaming Viewing Options Only) Special City Council Meeting for Wednesday, May 26th, 2021, 10:00 AM, in the Council Chambers located in City Hall, First Floor, 117 W. Duval Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The purpose of the Noticed In-Person (With Streaming Viewing Options Only) Meeting to provide a forum to discuss Ordinance 2021-0223 (Local Option Gas Tax) and Ordinance 2021-0235 (Septic Tanks).

[jaxoNOLE]

^Marcus, it looks like DeFoor is listening based on the amendments up for consideration today. I don't have the option to attach a picture, but the amendments being considered are:

• Cumber: Require funds to be used on a pay go basis and not borrowed (Failed 4-15)
• Boylan: Require 3-year tracking tracking for project timelines, priorities, and cost to be posted on City website for public
• Boylan: Require compliance with Florida Ethics provisions
• DeFoor: Remove the U2C and Skyway Rehab projects from the JTA list
• Ferraro: Remove split with JTA; all funds will go to city

I had contacted Morgan and Salem pitching your amendment, so hopefully they will support DeFoor's amendment.

[marcuscnelson]

I saw, I'm trying to get to the meeting now.

I drove to the Southbank (SoBa?) and decided to take the Skyway to City Hall for once, and they've helpfully repaid me by getting me stuck.

I am currently stuck on the Skyway.

A man named Derrick has climbed around the gate and opened a panel inside the vehicle to try and fix it.

[jaxoNOLE]

I saw, I'm trying to get to the meeting now.

I drove to the Southbank (SoBa?) and decided to take the Skyway to City Hall for once, and they've helpfully repaid me by getting me stuck.

I am currently stuck on the Skyway.

A man named Derrick has climbed around the gate and opened a panel inside the vehicle to try and fix it.

I just read your post as Nat Ford was simultaneously telling Council they have a "state of good repair" issue on the current Skyway. You can't make this stuff up!

[marcuscnelson]

I did get off. Derrick was able to manually move the vehicle over to the platform gate. So now I'm in the council chamber.

[Charles Hunter]

Discussing amendment to defer LOGT spending on U2C until after we have results from Bay Street Corridor project.
Ford defending U2C.
"Laptops on wheels."

[thelakelander]

Lol, no one (except JTA) is racing in the US to turn a monorail system into a significantly lower capacity AV system for the same cost as building LRT from scratch. Also, don't need the U2C to look at flooding and roadway issues. If there's flooding on Bay Street, then we're already in a tropical storm or hurricane. Transit should have stopped running long before that.

[thelakelander]

Also neither Miami or Detroit are proposing to do this with their Skyway siblings.

[thelakelander]

LOL, what is BPJ talking about? This has nothing to do with the unfilled promises made to underrepresented communities in the preconsolidated city. Heck, the city had already consolidated by the time the Skyway was proposed. Revisionist history at best.

[thelakelander]

Not sure what Joyce Morgan's points on robotics have to do with funding the U2C in the LOGT? The Bay Street Corridor is already funded. They can play with these toys with or without the U2C in the LOGT.

[jaxlongtimer]

Surprised that those representing the "under-served" communities are fighting so hard for the U2C when it will only drain resources away from said "under-served" communities.  Makes me wonder what is going on behind the scenes.

[thelakelander]

Miami did not fund the Metromover will 100% local funding. They received state and federal dollars as well.

[thelakelander]

Surprised that those representing the "under-served" communities are fighting so hard for the U2C when it will only drain resources away from said "under-served" communities.  Makes me wonder what is going on behind the scenes.

It's unfortunate, since some of these communities are getting the short end of the stick with this one.

[jaxoNOLE]

Not sure what Joyce Morgan's points on robotics have to do with funding the U2C in the LOGT? The Bay Street Corridor is already funded. They can play with these toys with or without the U2C in the LOGT.

That was not a very cohesive argument. Pretty disappointed that's the route she took.

It's still frustrating that there is no meaningful discussion in the chamber on the functional shortcomings of the system being proposed. I understand ignoring public opinion that says "Forget downtown because I don't ever go there," but ignoring the question of whether this will actually function is horribly irresponsible.

The DeFoor amendment isn't looking too good at this point.

[jaxoNOLE]

Ford: "In the US, we're talking about this like it's new and cutting edge, but in other parts of the world [they're doing this]...the challenge for us is the actual aerial structure conversion...The technology is coming."

So which is it? Are AVs the wave of the future that will set Jacksonville apart, as you've boasted repeatedly, or are they well-established transit solutions and we're just behind the curve? Is the technology ready to use, or is it coming? We're comfortable with the vehicles, even though we haven't chosen one? Good old concrete construction is the big obstacle?

Just a bunch of made-up nonsense that a substantial number of CMs are buying into.