Jacksonville Excluded From Funded Transit List

thebrokenforum · February 10, 2010, 11:24:38 AM

Quote from: thelakelander on February 10, 2010, 11:05:14 AM

Locally, I believe the tide has already started. However, a good change in leadership could knock open the flood gates.

Again, Lake - great points. But when does that tide come in? 20 years from now?

thelakelander · February 10, 2010, 11:32:32 AM

Why not 2011? We have a chance to elect a new mayor. This is the time to make the topic a key issue in the upcoming election.

stjr · February 10, 2010, 11:36:03 AM

Quote from: Lunican on February 10, 2010, 11:17:10 AM
You are right stjr, it's all about priorities. We drop $100 million on a useless overpass and no one even blinks.

And, just think if we did with one less $100 million overpass and invested that money in our grossly underfunded education system! We are becoming a very sick society if our spending priorities are any guide.

heights unknown · February 10, 2010, 12:39:24 PM

These types of transportation projects can spur economic and other type growths within the city; its definitely not a "chicken and egg" thing or issue; and...its not a "build it and they will come" thing or issue either. Jax has the infrastructure, population, and potential to field these transportation projects whether rail, commercial, metro, or otherwise. As someone said, we need wise leaders who are willing to convince both State and Federal governments that we do have what it takes to be granted or even acquire/ask for the funds to build these projects; sadly, our State, Federal and even local leaders have no faith in Jacksonville (our history in this respect may have a lot to do with it) and don't see it that way.

"HU"

thebrokenforum · February 10, 2010, 12:47:56 PM

Quote from: thelakelander on February 10, 2010, 11:32:32 AM
Why not 2011? We have a chance to elect a new mayor. This is the time to make the topic a key issue in the upcoming election.

Agreed. But I am hoping for someone with some vision and the guts to get that vision implemented. Is there a candidate like that running?

I am expecting more of the same but I'm a pessimist.

thelakelander · February 10, 2010, 01:37:00 PM

My outlook is we force the vision instead of waiting for candidates to come up with visions on their own.

fsujax · February 10, 2010, 02:07:12 PM

Where's the $100 million?

I know there are some folks over at JTA just waiting to spend it and build a darn streetcar line!

north miami · February 10, 2010, 03:19:55 PM

My outlook is we force the vision instead of waiting for candidates to come up with visions on their own.
[/quote]

Excellent insight and comment.

We get the government we deserve.

north miami · February 10, 2010, 03:26:34 PM

It's simple: Our focus has been Illusion. Sprawl. ***The Beltway*** the latest aspect to emerge.

And double speak. The sprawl machine well oiled by a Mayor who-briefly- exclaimed we can not build our way out of conjestion.

CS Foltz · February 10, 2010, 04:48:20 PM

Yeah...........I believe he also said "Run the City like a business"! Yup...........I take everything that Johnny says with a barrel of salt!

urbaknight · February 10, 2010, 09:34:01 PM

The city leaders that are against urban core developement, need to be voted out or office! That is, if we can bring awareness to the cause that, making Jacksonville a real city again would be benafical to all who live here in so many ways.

urbaknight · February 10, 2010, 09:42:39 PM

No offence to you Southerners, but I think that we need to elect city leaders who are not from here. Yankees know how to build cities. Just look at New York, Boston, Philadelphia and even Baltimore, just to name a few! Let's get some of them in our city council, and an actual city will rise from these ashes we call, Downtown Jacksonville.

tufsu1 · February 10, 2010, 09:57:55 PM

Quote from: urbaknight on February 10, 2010, 09:34:01 PM
The city leaders that are against urban core developement, need to be voted out or office!

hardly any of them would say they are against downtown/urban core.

ProjectMaximus · February 11, 2010, 12:30:04 AM

Quote from: urbaknight on February 10, 2010, 09:42:39 PM
No offence to you Southerners, but I think that we need to elect city leaders who are not from here. Yankees know how to build cities. Just look at New York, Boston, Philadelphia and even Baltimore, just to name a few! Let's get some of them in our city council, and an actual city will rise from these ashes we call, Downtown Jacksonville.

well, those cities were all built long before current northerners were born.

Lake, can you become planning consultant for one of the candidates? Preferably one that stands a good chance of winning?

lewyn · February 11, 2010, 10:43:59 AM

The "we can't build anything because we don't have density" argument is unpersuasive. because most of the cities discussed above (Houston, Orlando, etc.) are spread out Sun Belt cities JUST LIKE JACKSONVILLE.

According to the latest Texas Transportation Institute urban mobility study, Jacksonville has 1377 people per square mile (regionwide, not just in Duval County). Atlanta (which has two subway lines) has 1444, only a tiny bit more.