AAF Updates

[spuwho]

AAF wins an international design award.

http://malled.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/09/14/all-aboard-florida-wins-international-design-award/

http://www.fastcodesign.com/section/innovation-by-design

Rocla wins award for concrete ties, building plant in Fort Pierce

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/mow/news/Rocla-kicks-off-construction-of-tie-manufacturing-plant-in-Florida--45704

Martin County withholding their "Quiet Zone" request, looking for leverage

http://www.tcpalm.com/ugc/martin-county-ugc/quiet-zones-for-proposed-all-aboard-florida-project-not-best-or-safest-options-for-martin-county_89311556

Undercover "agents" for Martin and Indian River County crash a bond buyer briefing by AAF, collect & distribute confidential materials to attorneys

http://www.bondbuyer.com/news/regionalnews/florida-counties-file-new-challenges-against-train-bonds-1083660-1.html

If the skulduggery persists, don't be shocked if suddenly a Martin or Indian River board member is found to be partaking in some socially unacceptable activities and it gets leaked to the media.

[thelakelander]

Last week in Miami, I spent a few hours in a group that had a few planners from the Treasure Coast. When AAF came up, due to the massive project they are building in DT Miami, their hate for the project went verbal. At first, I felt like calling them out. Then on second thought, I said to myself, why bother? The thing is already under construction and there's not much they can do to stop it.

[spuwho]

Last week in Miami, I spent a few hours in a group that had a few planners from the Treasure Coast. When AAF came up, due to the massive project they are building in DT Miami, their hate for the project went verbal. At first, I felt like calling them out. Then on second thought, I said to myself, why bother? The thing is already under construction and there's not much they can do to stop it.

You were right to hang tight. I don't think they realize that their behavior actually works against them in the long term.

I am just worried that an over zealous attorney will reach to the lower depths of "discovery" to acquire an edge.

It looks bad for everyone.

[thelakelander]

Was Fort Pierce against AAF since they would not have a stop? Just wondering if their support was a factor in the decision to locate a rail tie plant there?

[tufsu1]

Was Fort Pierce against AAF since they would not have a stop? Just wondering if their support was a factor in the decision to locate a rail tie plant there?

pretty much...the main argument from those counties is they will be impacted but will have no direct benefits from AAF....adding some stops (maybe for non-express trains) would diminish that argument

[spuwho]

I thought Fort Pierce was chosen because it is where the K Branch terminates.

I talked with one international concrete rail tie company (I knew someone there) to see if they would bid on the deal. They thought it would go into Cocoa.

I wasnt privy to any details beyond that.

[spuwho]

I might add that Ft Pierce is in St Lucie County, not Martin or Indian River.  So it appears that is where the Mason-Dixon Line of AAF is drawn.

Also of note, not one mention of this economic benefit is mentioned in the St Lucie News Tribune, which is owned by the TCPalm, which has been extremely vocal against AAF.  That's a coincidence!

Per City of Ft Pierce Facebook:



Local dignitaries participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. – the largest manufacturer of concrete railroad ties in the Unites States – will build a new facility and bring new jobs to St. Lucie County over the next several years, at wages that equal or exceed the county's current median, thanks in part to support from the City of Fort Pierce.

"A diversified, growing economy is essential to a prosperous Fort Pierce and Treasure Coast, and helping to grow our local businesses should be the central thrust of our economic development efforts," said Mayor Linda Hudson. "It is encouraging to see the City working together with our economic development partner, the EDC of St. Lucie County, to help a growing business, such as Rocla Concrete Tie, to expand its operations into our area."

"We are thrilled by the show of support from the County and the City of Fort Pierce as we expand our business and open our doors to new employees," said Rusty Croley, Vice President of Engineering Services for Rocla. "Within the next two years, we expect to hire 40 new, full-time employees from the St. Lucie County area. We are proud to help build the economy of the area we love."

The company's expansion strategy includes the construction of a new 17,500 square foot manufacturing facility in Fort Pierce, and an anticipated $10M capital investment. Local companies, including civil engineers, architects, contractors and builders are being used for the construction of the new facility.

"As an expanding manufacturing business that exports a product out of St. Lucie County and the United States and brings new dollars into the County, this is an excellent example of the type of contributory business that will bring new jobs to St. Lucie County and help to create stable growth in our community," said Pete Tesch, president of the EDC.

Rocla Concrete Tie's expansion efforts include expanding its workforce by more than 40 new jobs - at wages which equal or exceed the City's current median. The company will also be making a capital investment of more than $10 million.

Rocla Concrete Tie began producing railroad ties in the US in 1987 with the opening of the Denver, CO manufacturing facility, becoming the largest supplier of concrete ties to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Shortly thereafter, in 1990, Rocla opened its second facility in Bear, DE to accommodate the updates to the Northeast Corridor for Amtrak's High Speed Acela Train. In order to meet the demand of America's Class I railroads and increased use of concrete ties for transit projects, the Amarillo, TX facility was opened in 1999. Since then, Rocla relocated its Denver facility to Pueblo, CO in 2012 and in 2014, finished the construction of a plant in central Mexico to serve the Mexican Class I railroads. Rocla continues to expand its operations domestically and internationally to help meet the demands of the worldwide railroad community.

[acme54321]

I might add that Ft Pierce is in St Lucie County, not Martin or Indian River.  So it appears that is where the Mason-Dixon Line of AAF is drawn.

St Lucie is in between Martin and Indian River