QuoteWINTER HAVEN | The "gorilla" couldn't be tamed by lawyers for Lakeland who tried Wednesday to persuade Winter Haven city commissioners to reconsider a proposed CSX rail freight facility.
City commissioners unanimously approved the terms of the railroad's plan, once characterized by a former Lakeland city commissioner as a "500-pound gorilla on steroids," for a 318-acre freight facility north of State Road 60.
Lakeland's legal team attempted to delay the project by claiming approval of the proposed project was at odds with state law and Winter Haven's growth plan. Members of the team said they will present options to Lakeland city officials, including the possibility of taking their argument to the state level.
Now that Winter Haven has had its say on the project, the plans will be forwarded to the state Department of Community Affairs for review. If the DCA has no problems with the plan, construction on the facility will start in 2009, CSX officials said.
Besides the 318 acres included in the project that were approved Wednesday, CSX has an option to buy 930 acres adjacent to the proposed facility, and that extra acreage was at the heart of Lakeland's complaint.
full article: http://www.theledger.com/article/20081029/NEWS/810290333/1410?Title=Winter_Haven_Approves_CSX_Facility_Plan
The CSX railyard project is still rapidly moving forward. This will free the way for freight being shifted from the CSX A line for commuter rail operations in Orlando and Jacksonville.
QuoteLakeland Throws In The Towel On CSX
City officials say there are no more chances to challenge ruling.
Lakeland city officials and a merchants group said Friday they won't challenge a ruling by the Florida Department of Community Affairs approving plans for a CSX railroad facility in Winter Haven.
"We are done," Lakeland City Attorney Tim McCausland said. "There are no further legal opportunities for Lakeland.
The DCA on Thursday approved a development order and agreement on how the facility, where trains will deliver goods that will then be placed on trucks and shipped out, will be built on Winter Haven's south side.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20081205/NEWS/812050395/1134
This is good.
When are Jacksonville's lines likely to see the beneficial traffic shift? What should JTA (or the city, or emerging regional transit) be doing now to make our routes commuter ready while central Florida's rail project is completed?
While the Winter Haven facility will be needed to replace Orlando's Taft yard, for Jax's lines to see a reduction in traffic, the Orlando commuter rail deal would have to be approved and underway. The money CSX makes from that deal will pay for their Jaxport rail bypass plan and upgrades to the "S" Line through North/Central Florida.
JTA, the Mayor's Office and City Council should be vocally supporting Orlando's rail plan, Amtrak's desire for a corridor service and lobbying Mica & Brown for local rail funding. They should also be rapidly trying to create a long term integrated transportation plan that they can stick to instead of concentrating only on roads, as Peyton appears to have chosen.
The new administration may offer us the opportunity make infrastructure investments that support sustainability, alternative energy and a path away from continued sprawl style development. Unfortunately, it appears that we may miss the boat once again.
Quote from: thelakelander on December 07, 2008, 10:06:39 PM
instead of concentrating only on roads, as Peyton appears to have chosen.
Could this have anything to do with his interest in Gate Petroleum?
^ or Gate concrete...