Bus Shelter Advertising Debate headed to City Council

[CS Foltz]

Steve.....I understand, its always more complicated then it needs to be! Well uncomplicate it! Lets not only streamline the possible structures but simplefy the installing? I can see where advertising would give the COJ some return or JTA but we are talking about a simple shelter for protection from the elements. Johnny wants to spend 29 Million dollars on Metro Part for upgrades not needed so hold on that and use that money for shelters! Historical District should not have to opt out, they are part of the City also.......this reminds me of cell phone towers...........everyone wants service but don't want a tower in their back yard. Thats why they make fake tree's that are full service structures!

[tufsu1]

the shelters are JTA, not the City....and JTA doesn't have the money...so the only way they get done is to have a prvate company install them....and that company will want the ad revenue to offset the cost.

[thelakelander]

tusfs1, there was an article in the Folio that JTA is sitting on $72 million that is not earmarked for any use.  I don't agree but if they exist, Bill Bishop wants these funds to be used for shelters instead of working with private companies to pay, install and maintain them.  What's your take on this?

[tufsu1]

I had not heard about the $72 million, but it seems to me this would be better ued to start/finish some major projects around town....my list would include:

1. Streetcar Implementation
2. Commuter Rail Environmental Studies
3. Enhanced Bus Service (better headways)
4. JTB/I-95 Interchange

[Dog Walker]

Bet you that OCK can come up with pictures of historic streetcar shelters that would fit right in to Riverside and Springfield with or without advertising.  OCK, are you there?

On the other hand, maybe the streetcars ran so frequently that you never had more than a ten minute wait for one and shelters were unnecessary.  When you have to wait thirty minutes or an hour, you need shelter and a place to sit.

[fsujax]

I like the list tufsu1....Let's get started!!

[thelakelander]

I had not heard about the $72 million, but it seems to me this would be better ued to start/finish some major projects around town....my list would include:

1. Streetcar Implementation
2. Commuter Rail Environmental Studies
3. Enhanced Bus Service (better headways)
4. JTB/I-95 Interchange

Here's a link to another story about it: http://jaxpoliticsonline.com/2009/09/23/jta-the-mysterious-72-million-stash/

[Ocklawaha]

Bet you that OCK can come up with pictures of historic streetcar shelters that would fit right in to Riverside and Springfield with or without advertising.  OCK, are you there?

On the other hand, maybe the streetcars ran so frequently that you never had more than a ten minute wait for one and shelters were unnecessary.  When you have to wait thirty minutes or an hour, you need shelter and a place to sit.

Headways downtown were every 5 minutes, after the city complained that the waits for 8 minute streetcars was too much to bear.

Here's your classic streetcar stop, sort of looks like old Ortega - Riverside, doesn't it?



OCKLAWAHA

[Dog Walker]

Headways downtown were every 5 minutes, after the city complained that the waits for 8 minute streetcars was too much to bear.

OCKLAWAHA

5 Minutes!!!!  Makes you want to weep with envy.

[CS Foltz]

Administration back when they did have street cars and the like at least made use of what they had! Current Administration is only good for spending my tax dollars without peer! No vision........no plans.......no sense!

[thelakelander]

JTA inching towards transit shelters ads

Legislation has been introduced to the City Council that would amend the regulations concerning signage on public right of ways to allow advertising on the JTA’s shelters that serve bus and trolley riders. Thursday the Downtown Development Review Board of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission considered a recommendation that the ordinance be amended. The item was on the agenda because the DDRB is charged with acting as the City’s Planning Commission for matters that affect the area within the Downtown Overlay.

JEDC Deputy Executive Director Paul Crawford explained to the members before the discussion began that the legislation filed by several Council members that would allow the advertising required a finding by the DDRB and that a second recommendation would be filed by the Planning Commission that will address the rest of the county. He also said, “This is not something the JEDC has put forth. This is the JTA working with the City Council.”

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=529156

[Ocklawaha]

Administration back when they did have street cars and the like at least made use of what they had! Current Administration is only good for spending my tax dollars without peer! No vision........no plans.......no sense!

Frankly a read of the newspapers pre-WWII is like reading the LA times or Chicago Tribune. One get the image of a polished booming city with industry to spare, and energy to become the next Sao Paolo.  Sad that somewhere right after the war, this town had a major brain fart and ceased to be progressive. It was in the armpit of the Great Frog, in the 1960's when the school system lost all state accreditation, Consolidation was a hail Mary pass to try and save something from the ashes.

Very interesting Lakelander. So JTA CAN work with the City Council for approval to get bus shelters with advertising on them, but can't work with them to tap the mystery money so we could enjoy the 5 BILLION dollar boom Phoenix is having around it's light rail.

My fear is that if we wait too long, the novelty of LRT might wear down to a point where "everybody's doing it" and thus the economic boom would be lower.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Just about everybody is doing it.  If we hop on board, we'll benefit also.  My fear is that we'll miss the financing boat if we can't make a true commitment while Obama is still in office.

[CS Foltz]

lake  and Ock...........both of you hit the nail on the head! A day late and a dollar short is the direction we are going. If we can not convince someone in the inner circle rail, in any shape or form, is a plus for any City then we are wasting effort! I don't care who or what takes the lead but someone needs to step and get things going! We can discuss this till the cows come home but somewhere sometime someone needs to take charge and get it done! I hope it's soon!

[blizz01]

Did anyone catch this in today's Daily Record?  The signage looks great, however, it seems like they're getting ahead of themselves if the shelters are on the way too.   

New JTA bus signs, like this one on Newnan Street across from the Yates Building, have started popping up at stations Downtown. They provide the same schedule and route information as the old ones, but are taller and more colorful than the former white sheet-metal variety.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=529423