BAD NEWS AT UNION STATION

[Ocklawaha]

Where did the tunnels start? At the south end of the concourse, the small white cement wall just beyond the woman in the white dress in this great model exposes it well. Each platform then had a similar little white wall where the RAMPS came up to the tracks from below... 1919 and already ADA COMPLIANT.

Also the shurbery by the sailor in the foreground is typical of the lush landscape that surrounded the Private Car Tracks. If the Chamber of Commerce really wants the big dogs to play in Jacksonville we NEED to make damn sure this track get's put back in spades.


This image shows the great metal roof and sky lighted concourse that is still serving the same purpose at the so called PO, though it has been carpeted today.  I took down the great wrought iron fence and stacked it behind the Museum on 3Rd Street in Fernandina Beach.

This photo is of a model, in modeling it is an art to condense a scene so as to make it familiar without going bankrupt replicating every square foot of the real place. Ironically this scene AS-IS is exactly the layout that I'd recommend for our new station. Un-freaking-believable!

I HOPE THIS NEWS PISSES YOU OFF ENOUGH TO UNLOAD YOU IRE ON THE PROPER OFFICIALDOM..


BAD NEWS? I have managed to intercept a email that went to FDOT this week with regards to our recent article on bringing Amtrak downtown on a budget.

The writer wanted to know WHY the JTA was not giving consideration to using what we already have in place, IE the tunnels and the station itself.

A nasty-gram response came out of the local bigwigs office stating unequivocally (paraphrased)"THE TUNNEL QUESTION IS DECIDED AND WILL NOT BE DISCUSSED FURTHER! this communication along with a huge file of station information went on the the unbelievable, "CONSULT YOUR STATION STUDIES ARCHIVES AND PUT THIS TO BED!" IE: Don't EVER mention using what we have or using common sense in the City of Jacksonville again!

WHAT THIS MEANS:

It mean's FDOT NOT JTA is dead set on crippling our station efforts by forcing us to destroy the PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY (erroneously identified in the communication = "Mr Mann is passionate about the old baggage tunnels") and build the abortion designed by one of our local star transit planners. I won't give away his name but someone told me once his middle name was SKYWAY!

What does OCK think of the station plan?  Well folks, have you ever heard about the baby that died and the afterbirth that lived? Nuff Said!

METROJACKSONVILLE IT IS TIME TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER FDOT!

[Timkin]

Ock... how do we light a fire under them?? 

[Ocklawaha]

"The keyboard is mightier then the sword!"

[Timkin]

I am listening... TO WHOM do we write to

[thelakelander]

Here is a bit of advice.  You can apply this technique for just about anything.  

If you get smacked down repeatedly for using common sense, fight back in a lethal yet professional (you have to keep your composure at all times) manner.  To light a fire, you need to be able to build public support by discrediting the opposition.

1. Background Data Collection:

Your first step should be to make a public records request on all the background study info that went into the planning of the transportation center.  

2. Extract Desired Data:

In this case, pull out the background information regarding the tunnel decision, find the holes and pick them a part.  Call it out and regularly expose it for all to see, decision makers and all.

3. Repeat, Repeat & Repeat:

Like a seasoned porn star, you'll need a lot of stamina.  Instead of an occasional swing, you'll have to go at these guys like they are the recipient of a gang initiation.  No one likes being made to look like a fool in the eyes of the public.  However, while some will despise these tactics, you'll definitely stir the pot and stirring the pot is the only way to force change of those who refuse to comply under better circumstances.

[Ocklawaha]

Over the years I've been amazed at just how much one CAN "fight city hall" and win!

I would add to Lake's methods:

Use ANY AND ALL MEDIA that you can stir up, even if you have to create a newsworthy event.

NEVER GIVE UP - NEVER SURRENDER!

...and this as I enter my 30Th year of pushing streetcars in Jacksonville...

[Timkin]

So, Ock...at this stage,,, would they destroy these tunnels just to ruin the idea?

After all , this is Jacksonville, and the way I see it... If it is historic,,,it is endangered in this good ole boy Town

[Ocklawaha]

Sounds like a real threat, God only knows what the State will do. It doesn't appear to be our city at this point.

[Timkin]

How do we get the State to understand that these tunnels and this plan are crucial to our transportation needs?

[stjr]

FDOT = JTA = a bunch of road happy engineers.  They know and care little to nothing about urban or city planning, historic preservation, mass transit, or much else beyond building concrete and asphalt roadways.  No imagination, no creativity, no flexibility, no thought beyond the mission to build the next road, anything in its functional way be damned.

Former assistant to Mayor Peyton, Alan Mosley is FDOT district director.  Ock, you should enlist Mayor Peyton to join you in appealing to Mosley as a Jax citizen to stand up for doing this right!  Go for it.

You need to fight on two fronts: the technical one and the political one.  The latter may be far more important than the former.  More than one FDOT employee has told me they listen to elected officials when they listen to no one else.  Whose state house and senate district is the PO in?  Contact them as well.

[buckethead]

Could decisions such as this ( which are seen time and again ) be based on the type (political contributions are not to be ignored) of contractors favored by our benevolent decision makers?

Reuse an awesome and yet functional piece of historical Jacksonville infrastructure? Naa... not a dime to be made for our cronies.[/cynicism]

[Jaxson]

Here is an e-mail contact for FDOT
nazih.haddad@dot.state.fl.us

Please e-mail him today!!!

[Jaxson]

Here is more contact information:

State Senator Tony Hill
904.924.1646
hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov

State Representative Audrey Gibson
904.353.2180
audrey.gibson@myfloridahouse.gov;

Please call them today!!!

[Jaxson]

I sent an e-mail to The Florida Times Union's transportation reporter about this.  His name is Larry Hannan (larry.hannan@jacksonville.com).

[Jaxson]

I just called Rep. Corrine Brown's office about this issue.