Riverside skyway station

[thelakelander]

An extension into Five Points would be opposed by RAP.  Expansion through public/private partnerships could be used to speed up the skyway's expansion, but it will be difficult for the public sector to bare expansion costs alone.  The Brooklyn station will come, IF the Miles development moves forward.  It wouldn't make much sense to put a stop the O&M center if no nearby development is not built.  That would be a repeat of the Jefferson Station.

[JeffreyS]

I bet RAP could be reasoned with if you just came to Riverside park.  I would not want the Skyway running near the homes in Riverside.  The Brooklyn station should be contingent on the Brooklyn park development but could be expanded to the big corps if they wanted to pony up regardless of Brooklyn park.

[thelakelander]

I would love to see Fidelity and BCBS helped fund the expansion of the skyway to their properties.  I'm sure JTA would too.  As for going to Riverside, I don't think there would be much debate it if were extended to I-95.  With Riverside Park right there, you're basically in Five Points. 

[Coolyfett]

Finding the money shouldn't be that hard, there is $100 Million for transit sitting in the bank from the BJP... and it just sits and sits, no one has a plan, better or otherwise. Beyond that, tons of creative things, buy up some small parcels and announce the skyway and new stations X,Y, and Z and watch the values soar. Moreover, there are car sponsors, station sponsors, kiosks, rentals, leases, branding, Skyway-memoribilia...  They keep parroting why they CAN'T do it, but no one has asked any of us to just do it for them... D#(B A@#@s!

OCKLAWAHA

Hmmm interesting....That sponsor thing is not a bad idea Ock. I know people in Jax who are not even aware the Skyway exist.  As shocking as it my sound. My own dad didn't even know about it. My parents lived off 103rd so I guess there really is no reason for them to know about it. I think the CANT CANT CANTs are a bunch of B.S. to Ock but you have train knowledge and they won't even listen to you.  Kinda sucks.
What would take up more money the Stations themselves or the tracks connecting the Stations? What creates more cost?? Id like to know that answer if anyone knows?

[thelakelander]

The stations would cost more money to build.  However, the entire thing would be cheaper now, because what is there today was overbuilt.

[Coolyfett]

From an old-timer - when the Skyway was built, there was supposed to be a large multi-use development (office, residences, hotels) on the waste-land next to Jefferson Station.  Pretty much like what has recently been proposed (but with taller office buildings, I think - hey, it was the 70s, all the office buildings that never were were tall). 

If things were different, they wouldn't be the same.  What would ridership been like if that development had happened?

And yes, Springfield, Riverside, San Marco, and Sports Complex legs would be good - the problem would be getting the money.

Interesting. Charles they don't have to do it all at once. JTA has the money to do it slowly. It is a profit organization. If that development you speak of was built it would probably be more than just 8 stations by now. I mean those 3 neighborhoods should have the Skyway as transportation option. Whats the point in living so close to downtown? Buses don't have right of way. Buses drink a lot of gas, yet thats the option they give the people? I just don't get it.