Skyway expansion to Sport's Complex (arena, Baseball Grounds, & Everbank Field

[jacksoninjax]

Back in the 1980's when the Skyway Express was being built, I remember a huge banner that read, "MAKING TRACKS TO THE GATOR BOWL"   

The city and JTA’s first mistake was not finishing what they set out to do.  This extension to the Sports Complex was, and is, the most important section of all and they didn't do it??  HELLO?? They can give the excuse that it's too costly but I don't buy that and a lot of educated people in this city don't buy that either.   

I really don't like to be negative and I try to look on the "bright" side of things but it blows my mind that the “powers that be” at city hall and JTA actually believe this Bus "rapid transit (an oxymoron if there ever was one) is going to work.  If anything, take part of the money for this project and actually finish the Skyway Express (SE) to the sports complex. Talk about a major jump in ridership. Building additional bus lanes downtown will only compete with the SE, which is the worse thing that JTA can allow to happen.

With JTA's current scenario, people take a meandering (and bumpy) bus ride from parking areas on the fringes of downtown (i.e. the convention center, park and ride lots) to the sports complex. Then after the game or concert, the buses whisk people away from the sports complex as quickly as possible, bypass the few night clubs and restaurants that downtown does have, and drops everyone back at their cars in parking lots on the edges of downtown, which only encourages them to drive home in a mass exodus from downtown.  Currently,   It's just as bad for people who park near the stadium.  Instead of a traffic flow that encourages people to stop on Bay Street or the Landing after a game, we have barricades and one way exits that encourage, if not force, people to leave downtown after a game or concert. Does this make any sense?

Downtown business owners should be furious with the city and JTA for making it so difficult for people to explore downtown after a game or concert because of the current situation.  Is it any wonder that our downtown is struggling and cities like Charlotte and Nashville have thriving downtown nightlife's?   

By simply extending the Skyway to the Sports Complex/Metro Park via the Bay Street corridor, people will actually ride the SE from the Southbank and convention center directly to the sports complex.  And, if there were a couple of stations along the way (Bay Street nightclubs, Berkman Plaza, Shipyards), people could actually stop at a restaurant for a bite to eat or to a nightclub after the game and then hop back on the Skyway. I implore they city and JTA to reconsider this ill fated bus plan and go back and finish what your started with the Skyway Express.  By connecting downtown and the Southbank with the sports complex (2 or 3 sq. miles) via the SE, you will make it easier and more enjoyable for visitors and residents to explore our beautiful “river city by the sea.”  If the city and JTA can’t succeed in connecting this 3 square mile area, the heart of our city, what makes them believe they can connect the entire city through bus rapid transit. 

[heights unknown]

I agree; they never finished what they started.  If anything, one of the first things they should have done was finished the skyway from the core to the stadium, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRST. Then to the convention center and future local bus station and southside.  Still say they should extend to the Gator Bowl, it would pay off from the numerous thousands coming to and from the game. Our leaders don't think at all.

"HU"

[JeffreyS]

Absolutely They have only put two wheels on their car and then complain about people not liking the ride.

[jcjohnpaint]

I don't think we will know the potential of the train to nowhere until it goes somewhere!

[CS Foltz]

I don't think we will know the potential of the train to nowhere until it goes somewhere!

Therein lies the basic problem...............it does not go to where it should! But what do the taxpayers know........nothing it appears............we just pay for it one way or the other!

[Coolyfett]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

[JeffreyS]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

+1

[tufsu1]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

and even with all those fans riding, MARTA is in worse financial shape than JTA....makes you wonder why

[WillNevaLeaveJAX]

QUICK FIX....JUS EXPAND THE FREAKIN SKYWAY TO THE SPORTS DISTRICT...ITS AS SIMPLE AS THAT!!!WHEN THERE ISN'T ENOUGH PARKING IN THE SPORTS DISTRICT OF COURSE PEOPLE WILL PARK SOMEWHERE ELSE DOWNTOWN AND THEN GET ON THE SKYWAY. WHY CANT THEY SEE THAT???

[Ocklawaha]

For what it's worth Georgia is WAY AHEAD in moving the masses. Shortly after Amtrak started up in 1971 they immediately released a state rail plan that called for new state sponsored passenger trains:

Atlanta-Chattanooga
Atlanta-Augusta
Atlanta-Macon-Savannah
Atlanta-Macon-Albany
Macon-Valdosta
Atlanta-Columbus

They also started their own version of the JRTC (Jacksonville Terminal) which goes in the area of the razed Union Station and Terminal Station.

On high-speed rail, they jumped on the SEHSR plan to extend a line from Atlanta to DC, Atlanta to Jacksonville and Atlanta to New Orleans.

Atlanta Commuter Rail and corridor trains between Atlanta and Macon are "just about to start rolling."

1971-TO DATE, they have spent millions on study's and accomplished absolutely NONE of these things, but hey, don't sweat it, it will happen tomorrow!



OCKLAWAHA

[JeffreyS]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

and even with all those fans riding, MARTA is in worse financial shape than JTA....makes you wonder why

I am guessing the why is they prefer to invest in their quality of life.

[JeffreyS]

^ Is the point of transit to see how much money you can save or to positively effect your community.

[Coolyfett]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

+1

The thing about it..is people say a Skyway Station would not move people fast enough, but yesterday the sports fans were just chilling, laughing, yelling, drinking....just all around enjoying themselves...not really because of the train, but knowing your car is safely parked at one of the boring outskirt stations would give some a peace of mind. The next sporting event at GA Dome Ill try to take some flix & post em here.

[Coolyfett]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

and even with all those fans riding, MARTA is in worse financial shape than JTA....makes you wonder why

From what I read in forums and AJC (atl news rag)...its the state that keeps Marta from doing well. Thats and the 28 counties in the Atlanta metro & only 2 counties contribute to funds..I dont know all the details but we all know how politics is.

[tufsu1]

Its funny to read this topic, im on the Marta with all these LSU & Tarheel fans... CNN Dome Station is packed with people just hanging around on the platform. I dont Jax dont seem to want that sort of thing.

and even with all those fans riding, MARTA is in worse financial shape than JTA....makes you wonder why

From what I read in forums and AJC (atl news rag)...its the state that keeps Marta from doing well. Thats and the 28 counties in the Atlanta metro & only 2 counties contribute to funds..I dont know all the details but we all know how politics is.

that is true...for 3 major reasons

1. A fear of "urban" people being able to access the suburbs
2. Concerns that MARTA wants suburban $ to fund urban transit
3. Significant support of roads

You meantioned quality of life in a previous post...I don't think of 10-14 lane highways a the kind of quality of life I want....now I will admit that ATL has made soe serious strides toward urbanity in the last 15 years, the metro area is still sprwaling out a bunch.

btw Ock...I would submit that GA is not ahead of FL in terms of intercity rail...they have been trying to build a "brain train" from Athens to ATL for 20+ years, are nowhere near as far along as we re on HSR, and their Amtrak plans don't compare well with even our FEC proposal.