Building for the future

[Lunican]

The Florida Times-Union

November 5, 2007

Building for the future

By LIZ FLAISIG,
The Times-Union

Jacksonville was no different than most American cities as the 19th century drew to a close: Its residents were being introduced to the motorized car.

This luxury would become a commonplace mode of travel for future generations, and that occurrence would be a significant factor in changing development patterns for decades to come.

But as is often the case in societal evolution, cycles take hold, bringing new versions of concepts that defined the past.

Transit-oriented development, or TOD, is such a concept.

It is a trend of the last decade - an opposite occurrence of the historic relationship that saw homes and businesses locate around public transportation hubs.

Today, cities use development to re-establish or grow transit systems, whether it be bus, trolley, light or heavy rail, people movers or combinations of systems.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has embraced TODs for its ability to aid a fledgling system challenged by Duval County's sprawling 841 square miles and the obvious benefits of high-density residential living to the larger community.

Plans include four TODs of varying sizes and uses already under way, and the potential for up to 16 other locations connected to proposed bus rapid transit stops.

The authority sees the concept as a critical part of Jacksonville's future.

"The population will double by 2025, and we won't be able to build ourselves out of the congestion," JTA spokesman Mike Miller said. "And who knows what gas prices will be?"

Full Article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/110507/bus_214552572.shtml

[Ocklawaha]

"The population will double by 2025, and we won't be able to build ourselves out of the congestion," JTA spokesman Mike Miller said. "And who knows what gas prices will be?"

This is why JTA desires to break the bank building a rapid transit system, using 1940's and 50's technology? Diesel Fossil Fuel sucking bus transit? "Who knows what Diesel prices will be?" I've got an idea, lets buy another bus!

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has embraced TODs for its ability to aid a fledgling system challenged by Duval County's sprawling 841 square miles and the obvious benefits of high-density residential living to the larger community.

JTA has embraced a concept...like hugging air. They ignore the national figures that show only 7% of all TOD'S locate on BRT or Bus based systems. The reason we bought the bus "concept" in the first place is that it is FLEXIBLE, if a route doesn't work, you simply change it. Now the TU and JTA want us to forget that FACT and believe investors will pour millions of dollars into a fixed location based on flexible transportation.

Plans include four TODs of varying sizes and uses already under way, and the potential for up to 16 other locations connected to proposed bus rapid transit stops.

JTA TOD'S, In other words, no developers are banging on the door. Perhaps a few local boys can be fooled by this, but no national company's are rushing into this vacuum. So JTA has a plan, YOU and I will build these TOD's, Jacksonville's own "Socialized Transit Oriented Places". I'll call them STOP'S for simplicity. We'll get 16 STOPS for a Billion dollars, and toss in a couple dozen new buses for all of our trouble.

The authority sees the concept as a critical part of Jacksonville's future.

The late "Uncle Joe Stalin", or beloved "Chairman Mao", would be proud of us. Not even THEY could have thought this one up. The Peoples STOPS, in the new Peoples Bus Rapid Transit system, in The Peoples Republic of Duval...Oh come on and laugh y'all, it's just a concept! Like hugging the air!

Ocklawaha
I'm just not red enough to buy this one Mike!

[thelakelander]

So the four "TODs" revolve around the skyway?

1. Kings Avenue Station
2. Laura Street Business Center
3. Brooklyn Park
4. 200 Riverside (Hallmark)

200 Riverside has been planned at that site for over five years.  Running the trolley bus down the street to run past it makes it a TOD?  Since the bus is proposed to loop through Five Points, wouldn't that also make Five Points, Fidelity, the Times-Union, St. Joe, Haskell, BCBS, Riverside's Publix and 1661 Riverside TOD's as well?

Btw, what's the status on the Hallmark project?  Are they breaking ground anytime soon?

[thelakelander]

JTA has embraced a concept...like hugging air. They ignore the national figures that show only 7% of all TOD'S locate on BRT or Bus based systems. The reason we bought the bus "concept" in the first place is that it is FLEXIBLE, if a route doesn't work, you simply change it. Now the TU and JTA want us to forget that FACT and believe investors will pour millions of dollars into a fixed location based on flexible transportation.

I see where you are coming from, but if you change the meaning like it appears we have locally, then anything can classify as a TOD.

Don Carter, president of Urban Design Associates, described a TOD as "any development that's related to a transit stop of any kind."

Under this assumption, if a bus runs down the street you live on, then your house could qualify as a TOD.

[Steve]

Parking is also key to pairing transit with development, because residents coming into the city need easy access to parking, sidewalks and clean, safe transportation.

To me, Parking is not a "key" component of TOD's because if parking is a key component, what is the point of transit.  Would that make the Wal-Mart at Beach & Southside a TOD?  There is a bus stop near a mammoth partking lot.  Parking is the key component there....

[thelakelander]

Under the definition of "any development that's related to a transit stop of any kind.", Walmart (and What-a-Burger) would classify as a TODs.

[thelakelander]

Parking is also key to pairing transit with development, because residents coming into the city need easy access to parking, sidewalks and clean, safe transportation.

To me, Parking is not a "key" component of TOD's because if parking is a key component, what is the point of transit.  Would that make the Wal-Mart at Beach & Southside a TOD?  There is a bus stop near a mammoth partking lot.  Parking is the key component there....

Parking is a key component of "Park-n-Rides" in the burbs, but not necessarily a key component for TODs in the inner city.  In fact, too much of it is more of a negative.